Ocean Events Directory

The Workshop on Credit Ratings, Resource Mobilization, and Climate/Blue Economy Financing—held in Mombasa, Kenya on 12-13 June 2026—brings together representatives from African Island States to strengthen their understanding of sovereign credit ratings and their impact on resource mobilization for climate and blue economy initiatives. Organized by the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), the event addresses the unique economic and environmental challenges faced by island nations, focusing on how climate vulnerability, resilience investments, and blue economy assets can be better integrated into national credit narratives and assessments. Through technical sessions, peer exchanges, and high-level briefings, participants will explore rating agency methodologies, practical steps to improve creditworthiness, and innovative financing instruments such as blue bonds and resilience-linked finance. The workshop aims to enhance institutional coordination, improve data communication, and empower island states to engage more effectively with rating agencies and investors, ultimately supporting sustainable development and climate resilience across the AISCC constituency.

Beach clean-up and sport-based mentorship on marine conservation by the Youth in Mnarani Kilifi County

This joint initiative is by youth organizations that are actively restoring degraded mangrove and other coastal wetland ecosystems, as a way of cushioning local communities from unprecedented impacts of climate change, while driving towards realization of Kenya’s NBSAP goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework. With over 70% of Africa’s population being under 35 years, the organizers of this side event profoundly appreciate that the future of our shared ocean lies in the decisions made by youth; and appreciates the significant role of young people in driving solutions facing our ocean.
Objectives:
1. To showcase youth-led restoration initiatives and methodologies (focusing on blue carbon ecosystems)
2. To share knowledge and best practices (e.g on community-based monitoring) for marine biodiversity restoration-Dickson Juma (in-person?)
3. To discuss how these restoration initiatives contribute to KMGBF targets- restoration (2), 30 by 30 (3), climate change (8), and youth (21).
4. To discuss scaling approaches, gaps, and opportunities.
Expected Outcomes:
1. Event creates general understanding of how youth are contributing to KMGBF targets in Kenya and NBSAP
2. Event creates a platform/opportunity for knowledge sharing and best practices
3. Participants have an understanding of how youth-led conservation initiatives can be effectively scaled.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/4DCoZtEMqd1GzfKa8

Majestic Digital Hub, in collaboration with Majestic Fish Farming SHG, proudly commemorates the International Day for Biological Diversity under the global theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact.” The event will bring together community members, environmental stakeholders, youth groups, schools, conservation partners, and government institutions in a collective effort to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental practices within Mikindani and the wider coastal region of Mombasa.
The commemoration will feature a series of impactful activities including community clean-up exercises, mangrove restoration, environmental advocacy sessions, exhibitions, educational engagements with school wildlife clubs, recreational activities, and discussions centered on climate action, marine ecosystem protection, and community-led conservation initiatives. The event seeks to create awareness on the importance of preserving biological diversity while empowering local communities to take practical action towards environmental sustainability.
Through this initiative, Majestic Digital Hub aims to strengthen partnerships, inspire environmental stewardship among young people, and demonstrate how grassroots actions can contribute significantly to global biodiversity conservation goals. The event also serves as a platform for networking, collaboration, and showcasing innovative local solutions that support the blue economy and environmental resilience along the Kenyan coast.

As part of the OOC11, the EAF-Nansen Programme will host a series of special sessions aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, which will be docked in Mombasa port, from 14 to 19 June 2026.

The sessions offer a unique opportunity to experience life and work on a state-of-the-art research vessel. The programme includes guided tours of the labs and equipment that is used to generate scientific knowledge about marine resources and ecosystems, expert presentations, and high-level dialogues, offering opportunities for learning and exchanging with professionals in ocean science, fisheries, and the blue economy.

Learn more and register for the ausing the registration link provided below.

As global debate on deep-sea mining intensifies in 2026, this high-level dialogue will build support for a precautionary approach that protects fragile deep-ocean ecosystems, preserves the ocean’s climate role, and avoids risky, inequitable extraction. Guided by the principle that “the ocean connects us,” it promotes collective stewardship of the deep ocean as a shared heritage.

Bringing together political leaders, businesses, scientists, youth, and Indigenous groups, the event builds on previous Our Ocean Conferences to drive commitments for conserving deep-sea ecosystems and pausing deep-sea mining, aligned with UNCLOS and SDG 14. It will highlight the 11th Our Ocean Conference as a key milestone in safeguarding the deep ocean for coastal and island communities.

The dialogue will showcase leadership by coastal and island states in aligning with global frameworks, emphasizing that protecting deep-sea ecosystems is vital for marine protection, sustainable fisheries, a resilient blue economy, and ocean-climate stability. It aims to catalyze new commitments to embed a precautionary pause or moratorium in marine policies and governance.

Aquatic blue foods are increasingly central to delivering nutrition, livelihoods, and climate-resilient food systems across Africa. This ministerial-level workshop will bring together Ministers, senior policymakers, and technical experts from across Africa attending OOC11 to develop and announce concrete commitments on blue foods.

The workshop will feature regional perspectives from African leaders, global case studies on blue foods as climate solutions and drivers of food systems transformation, and facilitated Action Labs designed to move participants from vision to announcement-ready commitments. Topics include leveraging blue foods in climate strategies, reducing food loss and waste across fisheries and aquaculture value chains, and advancing gender equity and youth opportunities in the aquatic food sector.

The day will close with a dinner showcasing locally sourced seafood from small-scale fishers.

Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in global food systems. They represent over 90 percent of capture fisheries employment, contribute at least 40 percent of the global fish catch, and sustain the livelihoods of approximately 500 million people worldwide. Their roles in sustaining food and nutrition security, ensuring responsible fisheries management and protecting marine biodiversity are irreplaceable.
Global commitments have been made in support of small-scale fisheries. Many tools and approaches exist to address challenges, which range from the overexploitation of fisheries resources, climate change, habitat and food loss, waste along value chains as well as exclusion from the very decisions that shape their future. But action on the ground still lags behind, and untapped opportunities to improve small-scale fisheries remain. The Forum offers a platform to examine how the international community and development partners can better support the development of sustainable small-scale fisheries.
Guided by the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines), this full-day solutions-oriented exchange will bring together a dynamic mix of voices from small-scale fishing communities, governments, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, academia, and donor institutions — in a spirit of shared learning and collective action.

Together, participants will:
• Elevate community voices — providing small-scale fisheries representatives with a dedicated space to share knowledge, surface good practices, and propose how to co-develop solutions.
• Advance inclusive fisheries governance — promoting participatory, multi-dimensional management approaches aligned with global commitments.
• Drive meaningful action — translating dialogue into actions that protect both people and ocean ecosystems.

On the sidelines of the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, Rare and Coastal 500 are convening local government and other local leaders from across the Western Indian Ocean and East Africa region for an intimate, peer-driven exchange. The session will spotlight bright spots while creating space to reflect on challenges and opportunities to strengthen community-led ocean action.

Grounded in real-world experience, participants will share practical approaches to advancing ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, and resilient livelihoods in their own local government or community contexts. The exchange will foster honest dialogue on what it takes to make these efforts effective and sustainable.

The convening will also help identify priority areas for support, tools, and collaboration to accelerate progress – including opportunities to engage with Coastal 500 and co-design initiatives.

Why Participate: Across the region, local leaders are tackling similar challenges: balancing conservation with livelihoods, strengthening governance, mobilizing resources, and building community support. Yet opportunities for direct exchange and practical learning remain limited.
Participants will:
• Learn from peers facing similar challenges in coastal and fisheries management
• Share local successes and innovations and gain visibility among regional and global actors
• Explore practical tools and approaches that can be adapted to their context
• Build relationships with other municipalities, local leaders, partners, and potential collaborators
• Identify opportunities for support, partnership, or resource mobilization—if relevant

Outcomes
Participants will leave with:
• New insights and practical ideas for strengthening coastal management
• Connections to a network of peers and partners across the region
• Greater clarity on their own priorities and opportunities
• Optional pathways to continue collaboration, access resources, or engage in future initiatives

Note: event time is subject to change. Please reach out if interested in attending, and we will ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Blue Podcast Experience is an intimate evening gathering bringing together ocean leaders, innovators, creatives, journalists, conservationists, and young people for live podcast conversations at the Blue Radio Hub in Mtopanga Estate, Mombasa. The experience combines meaningful conversations, networking, ambient music, cocktails, and live audience participation in a relaxed and stylish setting during the OOC11 week.
​Theme: “Our Ocean, Our Stories”

Ocean Innovation Africa at Our Ocean Conference 2026

Ocean Innovation Africa @OOC will convene a focused programme alongside the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, creating space for strategic dialogue, innovation exchange and practical collaboration across Africa’s ocean-impact ecosystem.

Rather than a traditional conference format, the programme is designed to be interactive, curated and action-oriented. Sessions will use dynamic formats such as OIA’s layered “Blue Onion” dialogue, bringing multiple stakeholders into the conversation and allowing participants to move beyond surface-level reflections towards deeper insight, practical exchange and shared understanding.

The OIA-led programme will focus on three core themes:

AI for Ocean Impact
Exploring how artificial intelligence can support ocean data, conservation, climate resilience, entrepreneurship and decision-making across Africa’s blue economy.

mCDR Pathways for Africa
A focused conversation on marine carbon dioxide removal in the African context, unpacking opportunities, risks, governance considerations, research needs and practical pathways for responsible engagement.

Start-up and Enterprise Showcase
A platform for ocean-impact start-ups and enterprises to present innovative solutions, highlight partnership opportunities and demonstrate how African entrepreneurs are responding to real ocean and coastal challenges.

The programme will also include an afternoon session on blue finance, led by co-organising partners, exploring how finance can better support ocean action, innovation and implementation at scale.

The event is co-organised by IUCN, the Great Blue Wall, Ocean Innovation Africa, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.

This public lecture, convened as a preconference event of the 11th Our Ocean Conference, will explore the transformative significance of the BBNJ Agreement as a new chapter in global ocean governance. Held at University of Nairobi – Mombasa Campus on 15 June 2026 from 1400hrs -1700hrs , the event will bring together policymakers, scientists, civil society, youth leaders, and regional institutions to examine the transition from treaty adoption to implementation. Discussions will focus on the Treaty’s four pillars, including marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, marine genetic resources, and capacity building and technology transfer. Particular attention will be given to Africa’s strategic role in shaping the future of high seas governance and advancing equitable ocean stewardship. Taking place ahead of COP1 of the BBNJ Agreement, the lecture will provide a timely platform to strengthen dialogue, raise public awareness, and promote collaboration across sectors to support ambitious and inclusive implementation of the Treaty.

The Ocean Interfaith Forum will bring together faith leaders, ocean experts, and community voices to connect moral conviction with ocean action. The day will open with a multifaith shoreline prayer before launching the Faiths High Ambition Coalition for Ocean and Nature Action. During a round table discussion, participants will explore the ethics of global fisheries, and in the afternoon, a Reef Assembly will give coral ecosystems a voice through a rights‑of‑nature dialogue blending science, theology, and lived experience. The forum will close with shared reflections and prayer, strengthening the role of spiritual communities in ocean governance.

East African ports anchor the continent’s most important trade corridors, yet face rising pressure to
decarbonize operations, modernize infrastructure, and build resilience to climate risk. Momentum is building
through green port policies, corridor initiatives, and early pilots like truck electrification but a critical gap
remains in moving from plans and pilots to coordinated, financeable, scalable implementation. With the Our
Ocean Conference convening global leaders in Mombasa, this is a timely moment to align on practical,
near-term action.

This high level event, just like in Busan Korea last year, advances the framing of “sewage diplomacy” as a critical transboundary governance priority at the intersection of ocean health and climate-Nexus action. The session is designed to catalyse a deliberate shift in the prevailing narrative from reactive pollution management to the forging of strategic international partnerships marking a transition from waste disposal frameworks toward proactive and integrated water stewardship. Primary Objectives and its accompanying cocktail reception, are structured around the following objectives:
Facilitating substantive engagement among national governments, development finance partners, and private sector stakeholders, Fostering the establishment of new international partnerships and collaborative governance frameworks,
Enabling informal yet actionable dialogue on innovative financing mechanisms for a sustainable blue economy, with particular emphasis on blended finance instruments to crowd in private capital and the at-scale implementation of wastewater solutions; and bridging high-level policy deliberations with concrete investment opportunities and technological innovation pathways.
Thematic pillars discussions will be organised around five thematic pillars:
Scale and Transboundary Impact, Assessing the scope of ocean sewage pollution and its cross-border environmental and public health consequences,International Cooperation and Diplomatic Coordination, Strengthening multilateral frameworks and diplomatic mechanisms for collective ocean governance, Blue Finance Architecture by reimagining sustainable ocean financing through blue impact bonds, blue infrastructure investment, and current technological solutions for wastewater management. Regional Collaboration Identifying and advancing cooperation opportunities specific to the Western Indian Ocean and Circular Economy Approaches ,Exploring wastewater valorisation, nutrient recovery and resource efficiency as foundations for a regenerative blue economy.

The prosperity of East Africa and the wider Western Indian Ocean depends on a healthy ocean. The region’s fisheries, food security, coastal livelihoods, and blue economies are shaped by what happens beyond national borders, including in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) that support migratory fish stocks, deep-sea ecosystems, and ocean currents critical to regional productivity and resilience.

Within the framework of an EU-funded programme supporting the early implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, this informal technical dialogue is being hosted to: improve understanding of the key challenges, barriers, needs, and enabling factors of ABMT proposal development; discuss good practices and lessons learned for meaningful stakeholder engagement; identify priorities for future actions and partnerships; and strengthen networking among ABMT stakeholders to advance effective and inclusive area-based management in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.

The dialogue contributes to a wider mapping of current efforts and initiatives related to ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement. This mapping will highlight prospective, candidate, and existing ABMTs, undertake comparative analysis on Annex I criteria and their application across other frameworks, and draw on preparations, processes, and lessons from the early stages of proposal development by key groups.

An expanded overview of this technical dialogue, guiding questions, and logistical information are provided in the annexes.

This technical dialogue is by invitation only and is a breakfast event, with tea, coffee and light pastries being served.

As shipping and energy systems accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, alternative fuels such as ammonia are increasingly positioned as ocean-friendly solutions to maritime decarbonization. The current common practice considers fuel’s sustainability in terms of traditional greenhouse gases and their direct climate impacts, which does not capture the
extent of climate and environmental pollution they can potentially lead to. Understanding these risks is essential not only for choosing fuels and technologies wisely but also for building sound management and mitigation practices and for informing regulations.

This side event will examine the challenges and opportunities alternative fuels pose through an ocean-centred nitrogen lens, focusing specifically on reactive nitrogen pollution and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. N₂O is a powerful greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance that directly affects climate stability, and reactive nitrogen, including ammonia and
NOx emissions, can harm ocean health, posing risks to marine ecosystems, coastal
communities, and the resilience of ocean-dependent economies. The session will highlight the latest scientific evidence on reactive nitrogen, including N₂O, emissions across fuel life cycles and explore uncertainties associated with scaling these fuels for global shipping. The session will focus on ocean implications, such as links between nitrogen pollution, atmospheric N₂O, coastal eutrophication, deoxygenation, and biodiversity loss, and the direct consequences and relevance to port cities and coastal regions.

Bringing together scientists, fuel producers, policymakers, maritime regulators, and civil
society, the discussion will address a central question: Are we decarbonizing shipping while externalizing risks, such as nitrogen emissions and leakage to the ocean? The panel will explore governance gaps in current fuel standards and life-cycle assessments, and identify
safeguards needed to ensure that climate solutions for shipping do not undermine ocean health or other planetary boundaries. We invite local stakeholders to participate in the debate and to bring questions and perspectives to the event.

​The sea has shaped Peru’s history since ancestral times. Join us in rearming our country’s commitment to the promotion of marine protected areas.

At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, this side event will provide a platform for dialogue among governments, regional partners, islands nations, and stakeholders to foster exchange and collaboration among archipelagic and island states. The discussion will highlight shared experiences and opportunities to strengthen collective stewardship of the ocean, the sustainable management of marine resources, and the integration of legislative leadership into long-term ocean governance.

Speakers:

H.E. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono*, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia*

Hon. Prof. Dr. Ir. Rokhmin Dahuri, MS, Former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, DPR-RI Conservation Caucus

Hon. Rina Sa’adah, Lc., M.Si. Member of Commission IV and Budget Committee of the Indonesian House of Representatives

Ms. Kartika Listriana, ST., MPPM*, Director General of Marine Spatial Planning, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

Dr. Miftahul Huda, S.Si, M.Si*, Secretary of the DG of Marine Management*

Ms. Meizani Irmadhiany, Special Staff to the Coordinating Minister for Food in the Indonesian government, Impact Advisor for the Asia Climate-smart Landscape Facility (ACLF), Senior Vice President and Executive Chair of Konservasi Indonesia

*Participation subject to final confirmation.

Sewage Diplomacy is an innovative sustainability initiative that uses wastewater management as a platform for environmental cooperation, clean energy generation, and international collaboration.
The concept focuses on transforming sewage from a costly environmental problem into a valuable resource. Through biogas and nutrient recovery technologies, wastewater can be converted into renewable energy and nutrients that can be reused in agriculture and other productive sectors, while also recovering the water itself.Sewage Diplomacy looks to mobilize opportunities for governments, diplomatic missions, cities, researchers, and development partners to work together on shared environmental challenges. It demonstrates how practical sustainability solutions can improve sanitation, reduce pollution, lower greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen public health outcomes, and
foster stronger partnerships between institutions and nations.This Sewage Diplomacy high-level event discusses how to position environmental stewardship as a diplomatic tool, showing how sustainable infrastructure can contribute to both local impact and global cooperation.
As shipping accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels, alternative fuels like ammonia are gaining traction as decarbonization solutions -but current sustainability assessments focused on greenhouse gases fail to capture their broader environmental risks. This side
event examines those risks through an ocean-centred nitrogen lens, bringing together scientists, fuel producers, policymakers, maritime regulators, and civil society to ask: are we decarbonizing shipping while externalizing harm to the ocean? And what role can African
nations play in ensuring a safe, just and equitable transition?

The opening session of the WIO-C Pavilion will set the stage for three days of dialogue, partnership, and action on ocean conservation and sustainable blue economy development in the Western Indian Ocean. It will highlight regional priorities, showcase collaborative leadership, and invite participants to explore pathways from local action to regional impact.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Where should ocean funding be directed to achieve the greatest and most lasting impact? Join coastal communities and civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the Western Indian Ocean region as they share firsthand insights on pressing challenges, priority needs, emerging scalable solutions, and partnership opportunities to strengthen ocean governance and build resilient coastal livelihoods.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Regional dialogue showcasing the Northern Mozambique Channel as one of the world’s most connected marine ecosystems and a model for transboundary ocean governance. The session will explore lessons learned from the NoCaMo project, including regional collaboration, financing mechanisms for conservation and the delivery of the blue economy at scale, ecosystem connectivity, and the need for the integrated management of shared ocean resources.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

WWF and partners meeting for collective actions on increasing ambition around climate and ocean nexus.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Session highlighting the critical role of coastal communities, community-based organisations and civil society organisations to take part into marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and blue enterprise development. Discussions focus on locally led ocean action, using and (re-)building local ecological knowledge, inclusive governance, and the need to strengthen representation and financing for grassroots conservation initiatives.
WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Showcases regional approaches to mangrove conservation, restoration, and investment under Mangrove Capital Africa, Mangrove Champion Initiatives, Global Mangrove Alliance, Mangrove Breakthrough, and the Blue Carbon Plus (BC+). Highlights governance, community leadership, blue carbon opportunities, and financing pathways, including scalable nature-positive business models integrating protection, production, and people-centred impact. Opportunities for enhancing coordinated mangrove conservation and restoration will be explored.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Flagship session examining how African countries and regional partnerships can accelerate implementation of the global 30×30 target through effectively managed and equitably governed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Discussions will focus on sustainable financing, regional collaboration, indigenous and local knowledge systems, management effectiveness, and long-term conservation sustainability. A major highlight will be the official launch and regional recognition of the Blue Parks, showcasing global standards for effective marine conservation and opportunities for strengthening protected area ambition and performance across Africa.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Calling all blue economy champions, ocean innovators, investors and practitioners to help answer this question: what makes a country truly ready to attract investment into the blue economy?

Join us at Islands Day 2026 for a highly interactive workshop where participants will help shape the Blue Investment Readiness Index (BIRI) — a new tool designed to assess and strengthen investment readiness across blue economy ecosystems. Come ready to contribute, challenge assumptions, share experiences and co-create solutions with fellow friends of the ocean community.

📌 Limited seats available. Registration is required.

This gathering will bring together Blue Action Fund’s Grantees and Partners for learning, networking, and feedback to Blue Action. For a change, there won’t be any presentations but plenty of time to connect with each other and exchange on marine 30×30.

Blue finance through financial instruments like blue bonds can provide funding for projects and programmes that have positive impacts for the ocean, such as reducing pollution. Public and policy interest in blue bonds has grown since the first sovereign blue bonds were issued in 2018 in Seychelles. Blue financing options enable investments in ocean-friendly projects through blue bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, blue loans, blue carbon credits and impact investing, which fund sustainable shipping, marine protection and water management. These resources can be deployed to areas like capacity building, impact finance and structured de-risking to convert locally developed blue economy projects into investible businesses. A deployed blended finance approach can align international capital to local market realities, thereby positioning it to unlock foreign investment and activate domestic financial resources for a sustainable blue economy.

Please join Blue Ventures, Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Ghana and partners for a special side event at the Our Ocean Conference 2026 in Mombasa. This high-level event will bring together senior government officials from across Africa alongside small-scale fisher representatives to spotlight bold leadership and new commitments for sustainable fisheries and artisanal stewardship areas. Opening remarks will be delivered by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Ghana, with announcements from participating governments throughout the session. We would be delighted to welcome you for what promises to be an inspiring and action-focused conversation, followed by cocktails and networking by the coast. This event is open to all, but please register at the link below.

The Social Accounts Working Group invites members to an informal breakfast meeting — a chance to connect, share updates, and explore collaboration in a relaxed setting. The Social Accounts Working Group was established by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) in 2024 to ensure that social, cultural and equity considerations are recognised and accounted for in ocean accounting and decision-making about ocean and coastal development. The Working Group provides a structure for diverse individuals, including practitioners, researchers, statisticians, and policymakers to come together and collaborate on measuring the human dimensions of ocean sustainability. The gathering on the margins of OOC11 will provide an opportunity for members to:
• Strengthen professional relationships across members and organizations
• Exchange updates on relevant research, policy, and data initiatives
• Identify potential areas for collaboration

If your organization is interested in attending or supporting this event, please reach out to WG Co-organizing Committee member Rachel Thoms (rachel.thoms@wri.org) or GOAP Social Accounts Lead Rebecca Shellock (r.shellock@unsw.edu.au).

The Bahari Cocktail is a premium networking platform. Moving away from formal speeches and structured presentations, the interactive 2-hour session focuses entirely on people, partnerships, and market opportunities, highlighting the joint efforts needed to build a resilient global blue economy.

Come make friends, learn and share. All in a relaxed, informal evening set up with drinks, bites and music.

THE FORMAT
Welcome experience with coastal signature drinks
Light corporate networking, intros, and games
Short keynotes from key guests
Food, drinks & music

For REEFolution, this moment is close to home. For the past decade, we have worked along Kenya’s southern coast on science-driven, community-based coral restoration and conservation.
East Africa’s coral reefs are at a critical inflection point. The 2024 bleaching event made clear that coral restoration alone is no longer enough. The next phase must combine restoration with climate adaptation, including assisted evolution of corals.
Together with Kenya Red Cross and Wageningen University & Research and supported by Prinses Margrietfonds, we are convening a by-invitation workshop on coral reefs, resilience, and assisted evolution, bringing together a focused group to explore what adaptation-led conservation can look like in the East African context. We are collecting early expressions of interest from organisations and individuals who would like to be part of this conversation.

As interest in deep-sea mining grows, rushed decisions risk outpacing science and governance. The international deep-sea area, part of the global commons, is becoming a test case for precaution, cooperation and long-term economic choices.

This event brings together perspectives of global leaders from government, business and academia to explore responsible pathways to safeguard the deep sea from the irreversible damage of deep-sea mining. It will examine potential economic impacts from deep-sea mining on coastal states and communities,  environmental and governance risks, and supply-chain vulnerabilities, and discuss solutions for circular mineral streams.

Risks to African economies from deep seabed mining will be discussed, and a new report on security risks from deep seabed mining will be featured.
This will be followed by a moderated high level panel discussion, and a cocktail reception.

Ocean soundscapes are increasingly affected by human-made noise. Many marine animals—from whales to schooling fish to larvae—rely on sound to navigate, communicate, reproduce, or avoid predators. As ocean noise pollution increases throughout the global ocean, the threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency also grow.

In response to these threats, the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean (HAC), the first global, political coalition dedicated to underwater noise pollution reduction, was launched in June 2025. Co-led by Panama and Canada and supported by an executive secretariat, there are currently 38 countries who have joined the Coalition. Together, they aim to bring needed attention to ocean noise as a global environmental priority and promote science-based solutions to restore and protect the acoustic integrity of marine ecosystems.

This side event will explore opportunities for growth and impact for the HAC. The first part will feature a panel made up of government representatives who will present on underwater noise in their national contexts, including threats to local biodiversity, ongoing projects to reduce noise, and opportunities for future work. The remainder of the event will be dedicated to welcoming new and recently-joined member states, where ministers or other high-level government officials will have the opportunity to deliver short remarks and formally sign the declaration.

A complimentary buffet and refreshments will be provided. Space may be limited so we encourage registration ahead of time.
Find more information about the event here: https://sites.google.com/view/ooc11-foraquietocean/

This gathering will bring together Blue Action Fund’s Grantees and Partners for learning, networking, and feedback to Blue Action. For a change, there won’t be any presentations but plenty of time to connect with each other and exchange on marine 30×30.

Less than 1% of global climate and conservation finance reaches local communities who are at the forefront of safeguarding the world’s most important ecosystems. Community-led conservation finance seeks to address this imbalance by ensuring that finance flows directly to local actors, is linked to tangible conservation outcomes and is accountable throughout its implementation. This interactive discussion will explore practical finance solutions that are advancing ocean finance through community-led conservation approaches, highlighting how sustainable finance can more effectively reach and empower those on the front lines of ocean stewardship. Bringing together practitioners, financial experts, conservation leaders and community partners, the session will examine lessons learned, implementation challenges and emerging opportunities to design credible, investable blue economy projects. The discussion will further explore how community leadership can be embedded within financial structures and how strategic partnerships can unlock greater scale and impact, bridging the gap between ambition and on-the-ground financial implementation.

Coastal and ocean-based sectors are increasingly vulnerable to climate and weather-related shocks, yet traditional insurance products are often too slow, costly or inaccessible to provide effective protection. As a result, post-disaster funding is frequently reactive and delayed, leaving coastal communities, small-scale operators and blue economy enterprises exposed to prolonged disruptions and financial losses. This session will explore the role of parametric insurance as an innovative risk-transfer mechanism that provides rapid, rules-based payouts triggered by predefined environmental events. Bringing together finance and conservation practitioners, the discussion will unpack how parametric insurance works, where it can be most effectively applied along the East African coastline and the role it can play in strengthening resilience, supporting ecosystem restoration and improving the investability of blue economy initiatives. Drawing on real-world examples and precedent transactions, the session will examine key lessons, enabling conditions and practical considerations for implementation at scale.

​Africa is experiencing escalating ocean‑climate impacts, while also possessing the scientific, ecological, and institutional assets that position it to play a leading role in advancing marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), a suite of emerging approaches that enhance the ocean’s natural capacity to remove atmospheric CO₂ and store it durably. Across the continent, academic institutions, governments, and regional organizations increasingly recognize the need for Africa to proactively shape the research, governance, and investment agenda for mCDR so that it aligns with the continent’s environmental realities, development priorities, and equity considerations.

​This event brings together institutions developing an Africa mCDR Road Map and emerging African mCDR Partnership as a proposed continental mechanism to support an Africa-led agenda for responsible mCDR research, development, and demonstration (RD&D). The session will include an overview of the Africa mCDR Road Map and a panel discussion on Road Map priorities and Partnership design. The event will also create a space for regional and institutional partners to discuss how to operationalize the Road Map and Partnership. Dialogue will focus on how national governments, research institutions, regional bodies, and civil society organizations can contribute to moving from strategy to implementation.

​Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is increasingly under consideration by national governments within their climate action plans as a potential complement to emissions reductions efforts. For many countries, the most immediate priority is building the scientific, regulatory, and policy capacity needed to assess emerging approaches and engage in international discussions from an informed position.

​This invite-only briefing event is designed for government delegates at Our Ocean seeking a practical overview of mCDR approaches, current research and development efforts, and emerging Africa-led mCDR initiatives. These initiatives include the Africa mCDR Road Map and Partnership, focused on strengthening scientific and policy readiness for mCDR research, development, and demonstration. The event will also consider linkages of mCDR with industrial development, logistics, and national priorities, as well as associated governance challenges.

A buffet lunch will be available after the briefing.

The OCEAN & COAST Regional Leadership Dialogue: Advancing Community Leadership is a joint event co-designed to bring together OCEAN and COAST grantees, SEA Leaders cohort participants, representatives from other Blue Planet Fund programmes, government stakeholders, NGOs, regional institutions, donors, and community leaders working across marine conservation and coastal sustainability initiatives.

Through presentations, networking opportunities, collaborative exchanges, and thematic roundtable discussions, the event aims to strengthen regional collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and create space for reflection on community leadership, inclusive ocean governance, and practical approaches to equitable and locally led marine conservation. The dialogue will also provide an opportunity to identify shared priorities, strengthen partnerships, and explore future opportunities for collaboration and advocacy across programmes and regions.

Shaping Africa’s Next Generation of Transformational Leaders
At the 11th Our Ocean Conference, this high-level session will bring together young leaders, policymakers, conservation practitioners, academics, and development partners in a shared conversation on the future of leadership in Africa. It will focus on how we can better equip and support the next generation to respond to growing ocean and environmental challenges while advancing sustainable development. Through open dialogue and real-world experiences, participants will explore practical ways to strengthen leadership skills, build meaningful partnerships, and expand opportunities for young people. The session aims to inspire collective action toward a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Africa and its oceans.

Ocean-climate innovation has growing relevance for coastal resilience and economic development. As climate pressures threaten fisheries productivity, freshwater reliability, trade corridors, energy systems, and industrial operations, strengthening coastal systems through integrated ocean-climate innovation is a strategic development priority. This can include leveraging coastal infrastructure such as ports, industrial zones, desalination facilities, and transport networks as innovation platforms.

​Drawing on case studies from Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions Ocean-Climate Innovation Hubs in Kenya, South Africa, and Chile, this event will highlight emerging opportunities across marine carbon dioxide removal, coastal ecosystem restoration, desalination technologies, watershed resilience, and resilient coastal infrastructure. The session will also explore financial perspectives on responsible ocean-climate innovation, and how climate funds could support research and development.

​Marine ecosystems and cryosphere components are undergoing rapid and accelerating change, as warming, acidification, and deoxygenation increase the likelihood of non-linear shifts in systems that regulate the global climate. Scientific assessments warn that some are approaching thresholds beyond which change may become irreversible, including the loss of Arctic summer sea ice and the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which could disrupt rainfall patterns, fisheries, and coastal and agricultural systems, particularly across Africa and other regions of the Global South.

​Rapid emissions reduction and large-scale carbon dioxide removal remain essential and must accelerate, but they may not be sufficient to prevent severe near-term disruption in certain climate-regulating systems. Research is expanding on potential approaches that may help slow or forestall these changes, including those linked to Arctic amplification, alongside mitigation and carbon removal. At the same time, public and policy discourse around these approaches remains polarized. This session will convene environmental authorities, scientists, and policy leaders to discuss how research, monitoring, and governance frameworks can be strengthened to address emerging ocean–climate risks through informed, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous dialogue. The event will also launch the second cohort of the African Climate Intervention Fellowship for Early Career Researchers (ACIFER), which supports African-led research capacity in carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation modification.

Side event builds directly on the outcomes of the PRCM Forum Ministerial High-Level Segment held on the sidelines (April 27th, 2029) in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and will bring to OOC11 a consolidated West African position on implementation pathways for the 30×30 target and the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction). It will also strengthen and showcase the efforts made in the region regarding fisheries governance, particularly the commitments of countries to transparency through the FITI.
Led by PRCM, the session will showcase West African leadership by moving beyond statements of intent toward practical, coordinated, and action-oriented next steps. West African coastal states are increasingly aligning with global ocean and biodiversity frameworks, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ Agreement, and the FITI initiative. At the same time, countries face common implementation constraints: limited scientific and monitoring capacity, uneven legal and institutional preparedness, fragmented financing, and the risk that conservation measures may undermine livelihoods if social safeguards and community participation are not built in from the outset.
The event will be solution-focused. Ministers, regional institutions, technical experts, and community-linked representatives will discuss how to operationalize a socially just, science-based, and regionally coordinated approach to 30×30, BBNJ implementation, and fisheries governance in West Africa, including:
1. Prioritization and sequencing of conservation measures (MPAs, OECMs where relevant, transboundary spaces, and links to high seas governance);
2. Minimum implementation requirements in terms of capacity, data, monitoring, compliance, and financing;
3. Regional cooperation mechanisms for policy coherence, scientific collaboration, and monitoring systems; and
4. Conditions for meaningful participation of coastal communities and small-scale fisheries actors in design, delivery, and legitimacy of conservation measures.
5. Active participation into the FITI
The side event will also highlight progress and/or intended commitments emerging from the PRCM space and partner countries and identify concrete collaboration opportunities before and after OOC11.
Speakers :
– Mr. Aliou Diouf, Minister of the Environment and Ecological transition of Senegal
• Mr. Carlos Henrique De Jusus Pinto Pereira, Minister of the Environment and Climate Action of Guinea Bissau
• Mrs. Virginia Maria Da Cruz Godinho Pires Correia, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of Guinea Bissau.
• Mrs. Fassou Thea, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of the Republic of Guinea.
• Mr. Kouadio Kouakou Parfait, Head of Staff, Ministry of Environnent, Sustainable Development, and Ecological transition of Ivory Coast.

On 17 June, from 14:00–16:00 EAT, and as part of the Our Ocean Conference activities, OPERA/Mercator Ocean International will co-host an Ocean Monitoring Masterclass in partnership with Sote Hub, a leading blue economy incubation hub and training centre based in Mombasa, Kenya, and the Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme, Africa Node

The masterclass aims to raise awareness of ocean monitoring and highlight the vital role of ocean science in society.

This two-hour hybrid session will be facilitated by representatives from the OceanPrediction DCC African Regional Team, ECOP AFRICA NODE, the OPERA Project, and other ocean experts.

Register to attend in person or virtually here: https://events.unoceanprediction.org/-opera-ocean-monitoring-masterclass-

Registration is now open, but on-site participation is limited – sign up today!

The Interparliamentary Policy Panel on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), aims to advance
political leadership and strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of protected area systems through
improved policy, legislative, and financing frameworks. The meeting will convene Members of
Parliament, government representatives, international organizations, NGOs, and technical and financial
partners to exchange experiences and identify actionable solutions for sustainable ocean finance.
A central objective of the session is to encourage participating parliamentarians to take decisive action to
strengthen the financial sustainability of protected areas through enabling legislation, stronger public
budget allocations, and improved policy coordination across sectors. Discussions will explore a broad
range of public finance and market-based mechanisms for the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity and ecosystem services in coastal and marine environments. The session will also provide an
interactive platform for parliamentarians and stakeholders to share national experiences, discuss barriers
and opportunities, and identify areas for regional and international collaboration to support long-term
investment in marine conservation and resilient blue economies

Join us as we celebrate the launch of the Great Blue Wall Impact Report 2021 – 2025.
Born in the Western Indian Ocean, the Great Blue Wall is redefining what is possible when people, nature, and prosperity advance together. More than a conservation initiative, it is a growing movement bringing together governments, communities, scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, civil society, and the private sector around a shared ambition: restoring ocean health while creating resilient livelihoods, thriving blue economies, and a more sustainable future.

The Great Blue Wall Impact Report 2021–2025 captures the first chapter of this journey. It tells the story of a movement that has evolved from vision to action; supporting regenerative seascapes, strengthening community-led ocean governance, mobilizing investment, restoring critical coastal and marine ecosystems, and building partnerships capable of delivering change at scale.

During this sessions at the WIO-C Pavilion we shall also be joined by the World Economic Forum and partners for the launch of the recently published Regenerative Blue Economy: Pathways to Prosperity INSIGHT RERPORT.

The two reports are highly complementary bridging research, policy and practice in regenerative ocean development and conservation.

Dialogue exploring policy pathways, opportunities, and practical solutions for sustainable blue tourism in coastal and island destinations across the WIO region. The session highlights resilient tourism economies, ecosystem integrity, local livelihoods, and the replication of nature-positive and community-led tourism models.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Science-policy session examining the evolution of coral reef Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) assessments from regional to national and global scales. The session highlights how ecosystem risk assessments can support biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, ecosystem management, and implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework while strengthening regional collaboration and science-based ocean governance in the WIO region.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

This SWIOFC–Nairobi Convention Partnership Programme session explores how sustainable fisheries, ecosystem restoration, aquaculture, blue carbon systems, and coastal livelihoods can evolve into investable blue economy pathways in the WIO region. The session highlights scalable, community-centred models that can attract sustainable financing while strengthening ecosystem resilience, fisheries governance, and inclusive coastal development. The models implore public-private-communities approach for sustainability.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

High level systems dialogue to accelerate Africa’s transition toward a regenerative blue economy whilst raising ambition on ocean protection by aligning ocean governance with clear pathways. It showcases actionable models for scaling marine conservation and nature-positive investment, establishing the Western Indian Ocean as a global blueprint for sustainable ocean stewardship. Tangible commitments include the launch of the Great Blue Wall Impact Report, the introduction of new Large Marine Ecosystems for Comoros and Madagascar, and discussions on the World Economic Forum white paper on regenerative blue economy to guide system-level financial and policy reform.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

High-level ministerial dialogue bringing together African governments, regional institutions, and partners to strengthen ocean governance, regional coordination, marine spatial planning, blue economy financing, BBNJ implementation, sustainable fisheries governance, and action against marine pollution and IUU fishing. The session aims to strengthen African political leadership in global ocean governance and generate momentum toward coordinated post-2026 implementation mechanisms.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

This side event is a 90-minute, ideas-first session hosted by the University of Georgia (UGA) in collaboration with ECOP and TUM Kenya, at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) – the first Our Ocean Conference ever held on African soil.

The session sits at the intersection of three OOC11 core themes: youth leadership, the sustainable blue economy, and marine conservation and climate resilience. It is structured as a fast-paced, high-impact engagement: two research presentations connecting cutting-edge coastal science to African challenges, a panel discussion that integrates practical funding and collaboration resources, and a Commitment Wall where every attendee leaves a tangible ocean action pledge.

The Women Ocean Guardians Private Reception is an exclusive gathering dedicated to advancing marine conservation through inclusive leadership. Bringing together high-level government representatives, global visionaries, and frontline coastal leaders, this high-profile event celebrates the launch of the Africa & Latin America Regional Hubs. The evening is designed to foster deep multi-regional alliances, showcase impactful grassroots innovations, and drive collective action toward the 30×30 marine protection goals.

Come connect with international decision-makers, celebrate pioneering leadership, and help chart a new course for sustainable blue economies. All in an inspiring evening setup with coastal drinks and bites by the beach.

Food, drinks & ocean-side networking on the Havana Beach Lawn.

Coordinated by Alliance Française de Mombasa and in partnership with the French embassy and the EU delegation in Kenya, the Mombasa Ocean Festival 2026 (June 18–20) marks its 5th edition and celebrates “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future” alongside EU@50 in Kenya. The program features a vibrant mix of events: an official opening with school contests, film screenings, and a youth quiz; a science café and photo exhibition; a Science & Innovation Day bringing together researchers, innovators, and policymakers; and an Ocean Fiesta at Alliance Française combining beach clean‑ups, art shows, and family activities, capped by a lively Fête de la Musique concert.

Coastal communities across the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) are on the frontline of climate change, facing rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and shifting ocean conditions that threaten ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods. While highly vulnerable, these communities are also leading adaptation efforts through locally led, nature-based solutions rooted in traditional knowledge. However, scaling these approaches remains constrained by gaps in finance, policy support, and capacity.

This side event will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and partners to showcase locally led adaptation solutions and strengthen the link between community innovation, policy frameworks, and investment. It will highlight practical pathways for scaling impact across the region, while elevating diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration.

The event will ultimately call for stronger political commitment, inclusive partnerships, and targeted investment to scale community-led, nature-based adaptation and address the growing climate challenges in the SWIO.

In September 2025, the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) entered into force, establishing the first broad, binding, multilateral agreement for WTO Members that focusses on ocean sustainability. To ensure compliance with the provisions of the AFS, countries must effectively strengthen their fisheries management systems and operationalise transparency. For this, data-driven and stakeholder-inclusive partnerships act not only as a catalytic force to accelerate the implementation process of the Agreement, but also strengthen the effectiveness and public reputation of national fisheries management.

This high-level multi-stakeholder side event at the Our Ocean Conference 2026 in Mombasa will showcase concrete examples on how digital and cost-effective solutions can accelerate data-driven implementation strategies of the AFS, announce new commitments from governments to strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, and highlight practical examples of how multi-stakeholder partnerships are transforming evidence-based fisheries governance, contributing to sustainable blue economies.

The WISTA Kenya Chapter warmly invites you to register for the official launch of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Kenya Chapter scheduled to take place on 20th June, 2026.

This landmark event will bring together leaders and professionals from the maritime, trade, logistics, and blue economy sectors to celebrate progress, foster collaboration, and shape the future of women in global trade.

We look forward to your response.

The NGO community in partnership with the Government of Kenya and the upcoming host of OOC12 are delighted to invite you to celebrate the accomplishments of the Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya.
Enjoy an evening of networking and refreshments with an opening performance and brief remarks.

A social meet up for journalists and anyone interested in journalism! A chance to connect with peers, widen your network and relax amongst colleagues. There will be free food and soft drinks available.

Illegal fishing is a global, borderless threat that undermines ocean ecosystems, food security, and the livelihoods of coastal communities—particularly in Africa, where small‑scale fishers increasingly compete with foreign industrial fleets targeting the same stocks. At the heart of the problem lies a lack of transparency around who ultimately owns, controls, and profits from fishing vessels. Complex corporate structures, flags of convenience, and opaque ownership arrangements allow beneficial owners to evade accountability, weaken enforcement, and perpetuate illegal fishing. This breakfast briefing at the Our Ocean Conference will explore how hidden ownership structures fuel IUU fishing in African waters, illustrate the scale of foreign beneficial ownership across the continent, and present transparency—especially beneficial ownership disclosure—as a critical solution. Through new research, a West African case study, and visual mapping of flags of convenience, the session will highlight how greater transparency can strengthen enforcement, protect small‑scale fishers, and promote economic justice for coastal communities.

Commitments from the world’s high-level venues, including the Our Ocean Conference, can motivate crucial progress towards the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its “30×30” target to protect and conserve at least 30% of land and ocean by 2030. As 2030 fast approaches, how do we ensure that progress is meaningful when the goal is not just quantity of global ocean area conserved, but also quality and real-world, equitable outcomes for people and biodiversity?

This event brings together policymakers, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and practitioners. We will discuss lessons learned from case studies around the world, focusing on commitments to create, recognize, and strengthen marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures in the ocean (marine OECMs), including two evidence-based tools for understanding biodiversity conservation in the ocean, The MPA Guide and the new Marine OECM Guide. Panelists will speak of their leadership and experience with MPAs and marine OECMs for conserving biodiversity around the world and in their own ocean regions – including Senegal, Kenya, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, and the High Seas. This event will provide space for panelists and audience members to share perspectives on how protected and conserved areas can deliver biodiversity gains, uphold rights, and make real contributions towards a 30×30 that supports ocean conservation and human well-being.

Effective ocean-climate solutions are being practiced by Indigenous & community stewards across the Pacific, the Arctic, Africa & beyond, who have stewarded these ecosystems for generations with proven results.

This is your chance to engage with them, including Dr. Nicole Yamase (Pacific), Mohammed Juma (Tanzania), Dr. Patrick Kimani (Kenya) & ‘Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake (Alaska).

Light bites and drinks will be served.

We would love to have you join us.

Please reach out to Donna@onereef.org if you would like to attend this invitation-only event.

This breakfast event will bring together collaborating government and NGO proponents, implementation partners, and donors to update on progress and build momentum for a large BBNJ/High Seas sub-Antarctic Marine Protected Area (MPA) connecting remote islands and important biodiversity areas in the southern Indian Ocean. The event will provide an overview of the initiative’s objectives, the progress to date, showcase the value and significance of the target region for a first-generation high seas / BBNJ MPA, and discuss next priority steps and actions. This initiative supports action and collaborative efforts of the South African and French governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions. It is made possible by the support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative, Oceans 5, and the Blue Nature Alliance.

The Forum aims to establish an international “Blue Partnership” platform for coastal cities worldwide, focusing on the integrated advancement of the blue economy and ecosystem protection. By fostering a city-based collaboration network that brings together science, policy, and practice, the Forum seeks to jointly explore sustainable pathways for ocean governance, contributing to the realization of the vision of the United Nations Ocean Decade and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Action Alliance will host an informal networking breakfast at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. This event is by invitation only.

This session will highlight the impacts of ocean noise pollution in the Western Indian Ocean, showcase emerging science and regional experiences, and explore opportunities for governments, industry, and conservation partners to take action. The discussion will focus on practical solutions and commitments needed to address ocean noise as part of broader efforts to achieve healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed oceans.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

High-level science-policy session showcasing collaboration among UN agencies, governments, and regional institutions to strengthen marine plastic and microplastic monitoring systems across Africa and the WIO region. The session highlights harmonized protocols, laboratory capacity development, regional plastics strategies, standardized monitoring systems, and evidence-based approaches supporting the transition toward a plastic pollution-free marine environment.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

Session examining community-centred and locally led approaches for reducing marine plastic pollution in the WIO region. Discussions focus on circular economy solutions, harmonized regional governance frameworks, investment-ready plastic reduction pathways, social safeguards, local innovation, and the role of civil society in shaping regional plastics policy and ocean governance processes.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.

The objective of this side event is to demonstrate how marine spatial planning in Kenya and Tanzania is enabling sustainable blue economy development, climate resilience, and large-scale ocean protection, while strengthening regional cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean. Key Outcomes and Commitments: announcement of MSP-related commitments by Kenya and Tanzania, including progress toward MSP completion and implementation, integration of MSP into national blue economy and climate strategies, and pathways toward expanded MPAs in territorial waters and EEZs. Showcasing MSP as a bridge between science, policy, and finance, highlighting: Use of spatial data and technical studies, stakeholder engagement and sector dialogues, and opportunities for investment certainty and ocean financing. Strengthening South–South cooperation through shared lessons between Kenya and Tanzania, with relevance to other African coastal states preparing to launch or scale MSP processes.

WIO-C events are open to all accredited OOC participants.