Global leaders announce Sh828bn to save oceans

The protection and management of oceans got a major boost on Thursday after 320 new commitments valued at $6.4 billion (Sh829 billion) were announced to advance conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and the blue economy.

The amount was announced at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, which concluded in Mombasa.

The conference marked a historic milestone as the first Our Ocean Conference hosted in Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing leadership in global ocean governance and sustainable ocean development.

The Our Ocean Conference has become one of the world’s leading platforms for ocean action, translating policy ambitions into measurable commitments, investments and partnerships.

During the conference, Kenya committed $200 million (Sh25.8 billion) to install electronic monitoring to all industrial fishing vessels in its waters.

French Polynesia announced plans to strengthen protections within the Tainui Atea, the world’s largest marine protected area, through more than 27,000 square kilometers of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones and seamount protections.

Canada committed $682 million (Sh88 billion) to the Small Crafts Harbours Program to support coastal and rural communities, fishing activity and local economies.

The World Bank Group announced plans to invest $1 billion (Sh129.4 billion) over the next two years to help developing countries build sustainable and resilient blue economies.

Africa’s role in the global ocean agenda has expanded rapidly in recent years. Home to 38 coastal and island states and more than 13 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zones, the continent has a significant stake in the future of ocean health and the blue economy.

“This conference is about turning words into commitments, commitments into action, and action into a legacy we can be proud of,” said Hassan Ali Joho, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy.

The conference brought together more than 5,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youth representatives, business executives and civil society organisations.

Its programme featured leadership plenaries, high-level thematic panels, official side events, exhibitions, community and cultural events, an Executive Business and Investment Forum, a Youth Leadership Summit and a Research Symposium.

Youth engagement featured prominently throughout the conference. Held in parallel with the main event, the OOC11 Youth Leadership Summit convened young innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and activists from across Kenya and beyond to showcase solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable development.

Among the featured events was Youth and the Global Biodiversity Framework: Showcasing Youth-Led Restoration in Kenya to Advance Global Biodiversity Framework Implementation, highlighting youth organisations restoring mangroves and other coastal wetlands to strengthen climate resilience, support local livelihoods and advance Kenya’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Organisers emphasised the critical role of young people in driving ocean solutions at a time when more than 70 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 35.

Beyond generating new commitments, the Our Ocean Conference serves as a mechanism for tracking progress and accountability.

The World Resources Institute (WRI), Secretariat of the Our Ocean Conference, analysed progress on commitments in Africa since the conference began in 2014.

Data found that approximately 78 per cent of commitments are complete or in progress, and while many historically originated outside the continent, the 2026 conference highlighted a growing shift toward African-led solutions, financing and implementation.

“Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with more than 400 million people between the ages of 15 and 35,” said Wanjira Mathai, managing director, Africa and Global Partnerships, World Resources Institute.

“For many young Africans, the ocean is not simply an environmental issue. It is a source of jobs, food security and economic opportunity. The commitments announced in Mombasa demonstrate growing recognition that investing in ocean health is investing in Africa’s future.”

Many commitments focused on priorities central to Africa’s development, including sustainable fisheries, blue carbon initiatives, marine conservation and efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is estimated to cost African economies between $11 billion and $13 billion annually.

As host nation, Kenya announced approximately 42 commitments worth an estimated $1 billion (Sh142 billion), including actions to expand marine protected areas, strengthen fisheries monitoring, mobilise climate finance and advance a sustainable blue economy.

Kenya has emerged as a leading voice on ocean issues as a founding member of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, host of the United Nations Environment Programme, and an advocate for ambitious action on marine pollution and ocean sustainability.