Crimes in the fisheries sector, marine wildlife trafficking, pollution, piracy and other maritime crimes threaten ocean sustainability, economic security and global stability, undermining SDG 14 and SDG 16. Maritime security and environmental crime are closely linked, driven by shared vulnerabilities, such as weak maritime domain awareness, limited enforcement capacity, fragmented coordination, corruption, and transnational criminal networks, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

This side event will explore integrated responses combining enforcement, criminal justice cooperation, governance and technology, with a focus on strengthening maritime law enforcement, inter-agency coordination, and satellite-based monitoring. UNODC will present relevant initiatives under its Border Management Branch, alongside a multi-stakeholder discussion on strengthening ocean governance.

Marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) are currently facing significant pressures exacerbated by fragmented data systems, inconsistent methodologies, and limited interoperability between national and regional organizations. While various projects have generated valuable fisheries data, the absence of a unified framework continues to constrain ecosystem-based management, cumulative impact assessments, and effective regional governance. Recent national and regional consultations have underscored that this fragmented approach to data acquisition undermines the critical interface between science and policy, ultimately threatening sustainable blue economy growth.

In response, this event aims to mobilize political support and reinforce science–policy–society linkages to solidify a shared regional pathway for transparent and inclusive fisheries governance. Central to the session is the presentation of a new regional roadmap for Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) data harmonization. This roadmap provides a strategic platform for countries to announce new SWIOFC commitments and report progress toward existing obligations under SWIOFC and WIO-C. By highlighting standardized indicators, digital interoperability tools, and formal data-sharing frameworks, the event seeks to bridge the gap between technical evidence and stakeholder action.

Furthermore, the event will present consensus outcomes from WIOMSA and WIO-C engagements, including community-based monitoring and priority SSF variables essential for harmonization. By anchoring these efforts within complementary platforms like the Nairobi Convention COP12, the initiative aims to strengthen regional coherence and ensure the national uptake of harmonized practices. Ultimately, this workshop fosters an inclusive blue economy by uniting fisheries managers, research institutions, and civil society actors in a collective effort to strengthen regional cooperation and marine resource sustainability.

The side event will showcase how regional frameworks, research, technical expertise and multi-stakeholder partnerships can advance practical solutions across the source-to-sea continuum, from plastic waste prevention and city-level action to improved management of sea-based sources, including ALDFG. The side event aims to:

  • Highlight regional experiences from UNEP Regional Seas, including COBSEA and the Nairobi Convention;
  • Demonstrate how regional action plans, such as RAP MALI, support implementation of global commitments at national and sub-national levels;
  • Share practical approaches from research institutions and implementation partners, including on sea-based source management, ALDFG prevention and management, and city-level plastic reduction;
  • Promote South-South exchange, peer learning and scalable partnerships that can inform regional action and contribute to a pipeline of solutions toward UNOC-4.

At the 11th Our Ocean Conference 2026, under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” this side event will present a solutions-oriented narrative on the ocean’s central role in the global energy transition. It will focus on moving from the urgent need fora fossil-free ocean to the opportunity of scaling responsible offshore wind. This session will offer a connected pathway for sustainable ocean-based renewable energy transition. From addressing the risks and legacy of offshore fossil fuels to unlocking the opportunities of sustainable ocean-based renewable energy.

The session will examine why phasing out offshore fossil fuels is essential not only for climate mitigation but also for protecting marine ecosystems, safeguarding coastal livelihoods, and upholding human rights. Offshore wind offers African coastal and island states a scalable ocean-based clean energy solution that can support energy security and sovereignty, development, and long-term decarbonisation while aligning with broader ocean-climate goals. By bridging climate action, ocean protection, energy governance and communities, the event aims to translate ambition into actionable strategies, strengthen political momentum, and position ocean leadership at the heart of a just, fair, funded, and orderly global energy transition.

With less than five years to deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework’s commitment to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, the gap between ambition and implementation is closing fast. Today, only around 10% of the ocean is protected, and far less is effectively managed.

Across Africa, the stakes are especially high. Healthy oceans are the foundation of food security, livelihoods, and economic resilience for millions. Yet overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate impacts are accelerating, while many marine protected areas remain underfunded, under-enforced, or disconnected from the communities they are meant to serve.

Delivering 30×30 with urgency will take more than drawing new lines on a map. It will require protection that works in practice: equitable, effective, and led by people who depend on the ocean most.

This side event spotlights how African coastal states and local communities are turning global commitments into real-world results on the ground. Bringing together government leaders, community representatives, and youth voices, this discussion will highlight proven, African-led solutions that restore marine ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods and resilience.

The focus is clear: scale that works, centered on community leadership, and ensuring 30×30 delivers lasting benefits for both people and nature.

This high-level event will showcase how African ports and cities are moving from climate ambition to implementation through cross-sector and multi-level partnerships. Across Africa, ports and cities are emerging as drivers of climate-resilient ocean economies, translating commitments into practical action that protects trade infrastructure, safeguards coastal ecosystems, and strengthens the resilience of vulnerable communities. The session will highlight the leadership of mayors, port authorities, and subnational governments in delivering climate solutions that support economic development while contributing to maritime decarbonisation.

A central focus of the event will be the Resilience4Ports initiative, a global multi-stakeholder platform that supports ports in assessing climate risks, planning investments, and integrating nature based solutions into maritime infrastructure systems. The session will showcase the scaling of Climate Risk Assessments across Africa and the Global South, alongside insights from the Port Decision Makers’ Guide to Climate Risk Assessment. Lessons from the Port of Mombasa pilot will demonstrate how ports can identify adaptation practices and pathways, strengthen resilience planning, and embed nature-based approaches into decision making.

Participants will gain exposure to tools that help ports and cities move from risk awareness to investment ready adaptation and decarbonisation solutions, which include climate risk screening, financing strategies, policy alignment, and public-private collaboration. The session will demonstrate how resilient port-city systems can accelerate adaptation, unlock ocean finance, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support a just transition to sustainable blue economies. The event will underscore the importance of implementation through examples from cities and ports reducing emissions from shipping and port operations while creating jobs, improving air quality, and supporting local economic development. It will emphasise stronger collaboration among governments, the maritime industry, financiers, and coastal communities, improved access to green-blue finance and technical assistance in Africa, progress under the Resilience4Ports Call to Action, and the advocacy role of port-cities in advancing integrated climate solutions.

Small-scale fisheries provide a livelihood for millions of people and play a central role in food security, local economies and cultural identity. Young people are turning away from fishing due to limited access to decent jobs, funding, training and decision-making bodies. Young women face even greater structural barriers, despite their vital role in post-harvest value chains.

This side event will highlight the need for an initiative to position young people – particularly young women – as drivers of sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient transformation in small-scale fisheries. Through first-hand accounts from young fishermen and women, the event will demonstrate how youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and community management contribute to sustainable resource management, climate adaptation and the resilience of local food systems.

At this co-organised event, CAOPA and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) will present proposals for strengthened commitments to youth inclusion, gender equality, decent work and climate resilience in African small-scale fisheries. Governments, regional institutions, civil society and partners will be invited.

From coral reefs and fishing communities to circular economy innovators and blue finance leaders, this discussion explores how locally led ocean solutions can unlock scalable investment and long-term marine protection.

Join Ocean Sole and an inspiring panel of conservationists, community representatives, and finance experts as we examine the future of the blue economy through real-world examples from the Western Indian Ocean region. The session will connect marine conservation, livelihoods, plastic recovery, and private sector finance — showing how community-driven initiatives can move from grassroots impact to investable, resilient systems.

This is not just a conversation about protecting the ocean — it’s about redesigning the economic systems around it.

Caribbean countries will present a coordinated package of new and strengthened commitments demonstrating implementation readiness and coordinated action. These include:

  • New endorsements of the Actioning Blue Declaration
  • New Signatures of the Wider Caribbean OCM MoU
  • New announcements of expanded marine protection
  • National pledges to implement Ocean Accounts by 2030
  • Commitments to develop Sustainable Ocean Plans & engage with the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Each of these packages will be presented by a regional champion for the theme, who will present their progress on each of these commitments and provide an overview of new and emerging commitments from the region on the topic. Together these commitments represent coordination of action at the Ocean-Climate-biodiversity-sustainable development nexus regionally across Governments and IGOs, representing a more ecosystem based approach to ocean governance.