$6.4 bn committed to global ocean action

21 / 06 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

Governments, businesses, and civil society organizations announced 320 new commitments worth $6.4 billion at the conclusion of the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya, underscoring growing global efforts to protect marine ecosystems and advance sustainable ocean-based development.

The commitments span key areas including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, the ocean-climate nexus, maritime security, marine pollution, and the blue economy.

Africa takes center stage:

As the first Our Ocean Conference hosted on the African continent, OOC11 brought together more than 5,000 participants and placed African-led financing and implementation at the heart of discussions on ocean sustainability.

The conference highlighted the increasing role of African countries in shaping global ocean governance and mobilizing investment to support marine conservation and sustainable economic growth.

Kenya unveils $1 bn in ocean commitments:

Host country Kenya announced approximately 42 commitments valued at an estimated $1 billion, reinforcing its ambitions to strengthen ocean management and expand its blue economy.

Among the flagship initiatives is a $200 million investment to deploy electronic monitoring systems across all industrial fishing vessels operating in Kenyan waters. The initiative aims to improve fisheries oversight, enhance transparency, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“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.

World Bank commits $1 bn to blue economy development:

The World Bank Group announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next two years to support developing countries in building sustainable blue economies.

The funding is expected to support projects focused on marine conservation, coastal resilience, sustainable fisheries, and ocean-based economic opportunities that strengthen livelihoods while protecting natural resources.

Turning commitments into action:

Organizers said the conference demonstrated growing momentum behind efforts to address mounting pressures on the world’s oceans, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and overexploitation of marine resources.

The focus now shifts to implementation as governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations work to translate commitments into measurable outcomes for ocean health and sustainable development.

Looking ahead:

The conference concluded with the formal handover to Canada, which will host the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027. Jamaica was also confirmed as the host of the 2029 edition.

With $6.4 billion in new commitments secured, OOC11 closed with a renewed call for collaboration and investment to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and resilient future for the world’s oceans.