RELEASE: Global Leaders Announce $6.4 Billion for Ocean Action at First African Our Ocean Conference

MOMBASA, Kenya (June 18, 2026) - Over 100 governments, businesses and civil society organizations announced 320 new commitments valued at $6.4 billion to advance ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and the blue economy at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, which concluded today in Mombasa, Kenya.

The conference marked a historic milestone as the first Our Ocean Conference hosted in Africa, underscoring the continent's growing leadership in global ocean governance and sustainable ocean development.

The Our Ocean Conference has become one of the world's leading platforms for ocean action, translating policy ambitions into measurable commitments, investments and partnerships.

Major announcements from this year's conference included:

• Kenya committed $200 million to install electronic monitoring to all industrial fishing vessels in its waters.
• French Polynesia announced plans to strengthen protections within the Tainui Atea, the world's largest marine protected area, through more than 27,000 square kilometers of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones and seamount protections.
• Canada committed $682 million to the Small Crafts Harbours Program to support coastal and rural communities, fishing activity and local economies.
• The World Bank Group announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next two years to help developing countries build sustainable and resilient blue economies.

Africa's role in the global ocean agenda has expanded rapidly in recent years. Home to 38 coastal and island states and more than 13 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zones, the continent has a significant stake in the future of ocean health and the blue economy.

"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 conference brought together over 5,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youth representatives, business executives and civil society organizations. Its program featured leadership plenaries, high-level thematic panels, official side events, exhibitions, community and cultural events, an Executive Business and Investment Forum, a Youth Leadership Summit and a Research Symposium.

Youth engagement featured prominently throughout the conference. Held in parallel with the main event, the OOC11 Youth Leadership Summit convened young innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and activists from across Kenya and beyond to showcase solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable development.

Beyond generating new commitments, the Our Ocean Conference serves as a mechanism for tracking progress and accountability. World Resources Institute (WRI), Secretariat of the Our Ocean Conference, analyzed progress on commitments in Africa since the conference began in 2014. Data found that approximately 78 percent of commitments are complete or in progress - and while many historically originated outside the continent, the 2026 conference highlighted a growing shift toward African-led solutions, financing and implementation.

"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, 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."

Many commitments focused on priorities central to Africa's development, including sustainable fisheries, blue carbon initiatives, marine conservation and efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is estimated to cost African economies between $11 billion and $13 billion annually.

As host nation, Kenya announced approximately 42 commitments worth an estimated $1 billion, including actions to expand marine protected areas, strengthen fisheries monitoring, mobilize climate finance and advance a sustainable blue economy.

Kenya has emerged as a leading voice on ocean issues as a founding member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, host of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and an advocate for ambitious action on marine pollution and ocean sustainability.

Select 2026 Commitment Highlights

Total Number of Commitments: 320
Total Finance Mobilized: $ 6.4 billion
Number of Countries and Organizations: 104

• John Lyons

  Senior Communications Manager, Ocean Program

• Darla Bijou van Hoorn

  Media Relations Manager