Fishermen in a small boat off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya.
Photo: Adobe Stock
More than 100 governments, businesses and civil society organisations have announced 320 new commitments worth USD 6.4 billion to support ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and the blue economy.
The commitments were announced at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, which concluded on 18 June in Mombasa, Kenya, held under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future”.
This year’s event marked the first time the conference has been hosted in Africa, with organisers describing it as a milestone for the continent’s growing role in global ocean governance and sustainable ocean development.
“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 wider conference saw major announcements from a number of countries and institutions.
The World Bank Group said it plans to invest USD 1 billion over the next two years to help developing countries build sustainable and resilient blue economies.
Canada committed USD 682 million to its Small Crafts Harbours Program, aimed at supporting coastal and rural communities, fishing activity and local economies.
Kenya, as host nation, announced around 42 commitments worth an estimated USD 1 billion, including measures to expand marine protected areas, strengthen fisheries monitoring, mobilise climate finance and advance a sustainable blue economy. These include a USD 200 million commitment to install electronic monitoring on all industrial fishing vessels operating in Kenyan waters.
French Polynesia announced plans to strengthen protections within Tainui Atea, described as the world’s largest marine protected area, through more than 27,000 square kilometres of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones and seamount protections.
Meanwhile, the European Union pledged €338.35 million to support ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries and maritime security worldwide. Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, said “We champion international cooperation and strategic investment to shield marine ecosystems from climate change, pollution, and security risks; to deepen our understanding through observation and research; and to foster sustainable fisheries and resilient coastal communities across the globe.”
The EU funding will support a range of initiatives, including the Global Ocean Observing System, evidence-based marine policymaking through its OceanEye initiative, and maritime security efforts in the Southern Red Sea, Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden.
The package will also support Africa’s sustainable ocean and coastal economy through BlueInvest Africa, including investor-entrepreneur partnerships and the scaling of high-impact projects.
The conference organisers said the event brought together more than 5,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youth representatives, business executives and civil society organisations.
Youth engagement was a key part of the programme, including the OOC11 Youth Leadership Summit, which brought together young innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and activists from Kenya and beyond.
The World Resources Institute, which serves as Secretariat of the Our Ocean Conference, said around 78% of commitments made in Africa since the conference began in 2014 are either complete or in progress.
“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 at the 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,” she added.
According to organisers, many of the commitments announced in Mombasa focused on priorities central to Africa’s development, including sustainable fisheries, blue carbon, marine conservation and action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).
IUU fishing is estimated to cost African economies between USD 11 billion and USD 13 billion each year.
About the conference
Launched in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference brings together governments, businesses and civil society organisations to make voluntary commitments on ocean conservation and sustainable ocean management.
Since its launch, the conference has generated more than 2,600 commitments covering marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, ocean science and technology, climate resilience and the implementation of international ocean agreements.