The 2026 Our Ocean Conference, held recently in Mombasa, Kenya, brought together over 100 governments, businesses, and civil society organizations and resulted in 320 new commitments valued at USD 6.4 billion (EUR 5.5 billion) to advance ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and blue economic ventures.
Commitments from the conference include work that wil soon be done in French Polynesia, Canada, and Kenya.
French Polynesia announced it will strengthen protections in the Tainui Atea Marine Protected Area with 27,000 square kilometers of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones, and seamount protections.
In Canada, USD 682 million (EUR 595 million) will go to the Small Craft Harbors Program for supporting coastal economic activities.
Kenya, meanwhile, will commit USD 200 million (EUR 174 million) to install electronic monitoring systems across its industrial fishing vessels as part of 42 overall commitments it made as the host nation worth an estimated USD 1 billion (EUR 872.7 million).
The World Bank Group plans to invest USD 1 billion (EUR 872 million) over two years in developing countries, helping them build up their blue economies.
“This conference is about turning words into commitments, commitments into action, and action into a legacy we can be proud of,” Kenya Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Ali Joho said.
Many of the commitments focused on developing Africa’s blue economy with blue carbon initiatives and efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is estimated to cost Africa’s economy between USD 11 billion (EUR 9.6 billion) and USD 13 billion (EUR 11.3 billion) annually.
“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,” World Resources Institute Managing Director of Africa and Global Partnerships Wanjira Mathai said. “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.”
Overall, the conference featured 5,000 participants from governmental, community, Native, youth, and civil organizations. The event was held in conjunction with the OOC11 Youth Leadership Summit which brought together young people looking for education on a sustainable future.
