The 11th Our Ocean Conference brought together countries, businesses, and civil society organizations (CSOs) who made 320 new commitments to sustainable ocean action, valued at USD 6.4 billion. The overall total for commitments mobilized since 2014 amounts to USD 175.6 billion.
Held in Mombasa, Kenya, from 16-18 June 2026, under the theme, ‘Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,’ the Conference focused on the essential role of the ocean in shaping culture, communities, and livelihoods. In a bid “to move the global ocean agenda from dialogue to delivery, placing jobs, equity, and healthy oceans at the center of international cooperation,” it not only generated new commitments, but also took stock of progress, promoting accountability.
According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), which serves as the Secretariat for the Our Ocean Conference, the event “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.”
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Announcements made at this year’s conference include:
- A pledge of USD 200 million by Kenya to install electronic monitoring to all industrial fishing vessels in its waters;
- French Polynesia’s announcement of plans to strengthen protections within the Tainui Atea – the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA), through the addition of over 27,000 square kilometers of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones, and seamount protections;
- A commitment by Canada of CAD 682 million to the Small Crafts Harbours Program to support coastal and rural communities, fishing activity, and local economies; and
- An announcement by the World Bank Group (WBG) of planned investment of USD 1 billion over the next two years to help developing countries build sustainable and resilient blue economies.
As the Conference host, Kenya announced around 42 commitments worth around USD 1 billion, including actions to expand MPAs, improve fisheries monitoring, mobilize climate finance, and promote a sustainable blue economy.
An invitation-only event, the Conference featured leadership plenaries, high-level thematic panels, side events, exhibitions, community and cultural events, an Executive Business and Investment Forum, a Youth Leadership Summit, and a Research Symposium.
Three WRI progress reports supported the discussions:
- Annual Progress Update 2026, which shows that since 2025, 285 new commitments were made, 174 were started, and 70 were completed;
- Africa Regional Ocean Impact Report, which finds that around 78% of commitments made since 2014 are complete or in progress; and
- 10 Year Progress Report, according to which, as of January 2025, approximately 81% of commitments made since 2014 had been completed or were underway.
The Our Ocean Conference brings together governments, businesses, and civil society to make voluntary commitments that advance ocean conservation and sustainable ocean management through actions that counter marine pollution, and support MPAs, sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation and mitigation, the sustainable blue economy, maritime security, and implementation of international ocean agreements.
Prior to 2026, the Our Ocean Conference convened ten times – in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014. [WRI Press Release]