Kenya to Host Landmark Our Ocean Conference, Charting a Course for Ocean Justice and Sustainability
Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, Kenya, are set to host the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) from June 16-18, 2026, marking the first time this influential international meeting will be held on African soil. This historic event arrives at a critical juncture, as the planet faces escalating threats to ocean health, and as a modern international treaty governing the high seas comes into force.
A Turning Point for Ocean Governance
The Our Ocean Conference, launched in 2014, has historically served as a platform for governments, communities, innovators, and businesses to mobilize commitments on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate action, and pollution control. Billions of dollars have been pledged, yet implementation gaps remain, with less than half of commitments fully delivered. OOC11 seeks to address this challenge head-on, focusing on translating pledges into tangible impact, particularly for developing coastal nations.
The High Seas Treaty and the Promise of Equity
The timing of the conference is particularly significant, coinciding with the recent entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (formally the BBNJ Agreement) on January 17, 2025, after reaching 60 ratifications. This landmark agreement establishes a framework for creating marine protected areas and regulating activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction – waters covering nearly half the planet. For African and other developing countries, the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement will be a crucial test of whether the principle of the “common heritage of humankind” can be realized, ensuring equitable access to benefits and participation in decision-making.
Deep-Sea Mining: A Looming Challenge
The debate surrounding deep-sea mining will be a central focus at OOC11. Proponents argue that mining polymetallic nodules and other deep-sea deposits could provide essential minerals for the energy transition. However, scientific assessments warn of potentially devastating and long-lasting damage to fragile seafloor ecosystems, disruption of carbon cycles, and threats to poorly understood species. Concerns are particularly acute for small-scale fishers, coastal communities, and Indigenous peoples who fear bearing the brunt of environmental costs while receiving limited benefits.
Kenya’s Vision: Jobs, Equity, and Healthy Oceans
Kenya has framed the 2026 conference around the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” with a specific emphasis on creating jobs, promoting equity, and ensuring healthy oceans. This framing resonates deeply across the Global South, where coastal and inland communities are grappling with the converging crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic insecurity.
Key Priorities for a Successful Conference
To ensure OOC11 serves as a true turning point, African and other developing countries could prioritize the following outcomes:
- Equitable Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement: Securing robust funding for capacity-building and technology transfer, ensuring transparent environmental assessments, and establishing benefit-sharing mechanisms that directly reach frontline communities.
- A Precautionary Moratorium on Deep-Sea Mining: Uniting behind a pause on commercial deep-sea mining until independent science demonstrates its safety and robust global regulations are in place.
- Commitments for Sustainable Livelihoods: Demanding commitments that improve lives through secure markets for small-scale fishers, nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration, climate-resilient infrastructure, and support for youth, women, and Indigenous leadership.
A Moment for Ocean Stewardship
Mombasa’s location embodies both the vulnerabilities and opportunities facing coastal communities across the Global South. Hosting Africa’s first Our Ocean Conference presents a unique opportunity to center the perspectives of those who live with the ocean daily. The success of OOC11 will depend on whether it can shift power towards those most affected and committed to ocean stewardship, affirming that the ocean is not merely a resource to be exploited, but a living foundation for survival and dignity.
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