Mombasa, Kenya, June 26 – More than 100 governments, businesses and civil society organisations pledged 320 new commitments worth $6.4 billion for ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and the blue economy at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, which concluded in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on June 19.
The four-day conference, held from June 16 to 19, was the first edition of the global gathering to be hosted in Africa, reflecting the continent’s growing role in international ocean governance and sustainable marine development.
Kenya announced commitments valued at about $1 billion, including plans to expand marine protected areas, strengthen fisheries monitoring through electronic surveillance of all industrial fishing vessels operating in its waters, mobilize climate finance and advance a sustainable blue economy.
Among other major announcements, the World Bank Group pledged $1 billion over the next two years to support developing countries in building sustainable and resilient blue economies, while Canada committed $682 million to its Small Craft Harbours Program to strengthen coastal infrastructure and support fishing communities. French Polynesia also announced plans to expand protections within the Tainui Atea Marine Protected Area through more than 27,000 square kilometres of new regulated fishing zones, coastal protection areas and seamount safeguards.
“This conference is about turning words into commitments, commitments into action, and action into a legacy we can be proud of,” Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Hassan Ali Joho, said.
More than 5,000 delegates attended the conference, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, Indigenous representatives, youth delegates and civil society organisations. The programme included ministerial meetings, thematic sessions, investment forums, scientific discussions and a Youth Leadership Summit.
Youth participation featured prominently, with young innovators, entrepreneurs and conservationists presenting solutions for marine conservation and sustainable development alongside the main conference.
According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), which serves as the conference secretariat, about 78 percent of commitments made in Africa since the Our Ocean Conference was launched in 2014 have either been completed or are currently being implemented. The organisation said the 2026 conference marked a shift towards greater African leadership in financing, implementing and shaping ocean conservation initiatives.
“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 for 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.”
Many of the commitments announced in Mombasa focused on sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, blue carbon initiatives and efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which is estimated to cost African economies between $11 billion and $13 billion each year.
Since its launch in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has generated 3,220 commitments valued at approximately $175.6 billion worldwide.
