President William Ruto held talks with former US Secretary of State John Kerry at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, confirming a major win for Kenya.
The country is set to host the 11th “Our Ocean” conference in June 2026. This significant event will take place at the Kenyan coast, putting a global spotlight on Africa’s role in marine conservation.
The “Our Ocean” conference is a high-level international forum dedicated to protecting and conserving the world’s seas.
Launched in 2014 by John Kerry, the conference has since mobilised billions in commitments towards sustainable fisheries, marine protection, and tackling pollution.
“The conference, therefore, will be a new opportunity for Kenya to highlight our blue economy agenda and champion Africa’s climate action on oceans,” said President William Ruto.
The decision to hold the conference in Kenya highlights the country’s growing influence and commitment to environmental issues. Kenya is already a global leader in this area, being home to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi.
President Ruto has indicated that the conference will be an opportunity to showcase Africa’s potential in the “blue economy” , the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
This includes tackling marine pollution: Kenya has been a pioneer in national policies aimed at reducing ocean plastic waste.
The conference will provide a platform to discuss better fishing methods and reduce overfishing.
In addition, President Ruto has said the event will be used to showcase solutions from young Kenyans in aquaculture and marine industries.
The meeting between President Ruto and John Kerry signifies the strong international partnership behind this initiative.
The “Our Ocean” conferences are unique because they bring together governments, NGOs, the private sector, and academic experts to make concrete commitments to ocean health.
Since its inception, the conference has generated over 2,900 commitments and more than US$169 billion in pledges for ocean protection.
The 2026 conference at the Kenyan coast will be the first of its kind to be held in Africa, giving the continent a crucial opportunity to lead the global conversation on ocean sustainability.
Written by Erastus Omondi, TV47
