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External event 16 Jun, 2026

11th Our Ocean Conference

Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” the 11th Our Ocean Conference is a defining moment to accelerate ocean conservation, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, equitable governance and a regenerative blue economy.

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Drawing on deep scientific, policy and implementation expertise IUCN will use OOC11 to showcase people-centred, science-based and partnership-driven ocean action, including through the Great Blue Wall, locally managed marine areas, regenerative seascapes, marine restoration, BBNJ implementation, plastics circularity and ocean finance.

For the Western Indian Ocean, home to globally significant coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows and marine migratory routes that support more than 60 million coastal people, OOC11 is not only a global ocean moment; it is an African leadership moment.

Start date:
16 Jun, 2026
End date:
18 Jun, 2026
Location:
Mombasa, Kenya
Regions:
Eastern and Southern Africa Global
Themes:
Climate change Ocean and coasts
Topics:
Ocean and climate change
IUCN centres:
Centre for Conservation Action International Policy Centre
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Policy brief 2026
IUCN Key messages for the 11th Our Ocean Conference
Drawing on deep scientific, policy and implementation expertise IUCN will use OOC11 to showcase people-centred, science-based and partnership-driven ocean action, including through the Great Blue…
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Policy brief 2026
IUCN suggested actions by theme for OOC11
The following key messages reflect IUCN's institutional positions across the six thematic pillars of OOC11 and the additional theme of Local Community Engagement. They are grounded in IUCN's…

Side events

In the margins of the 11th Our Ocean Conference, IUCN is organising and co-organising a series of pre-events, parallel events and side events.

  • People of the Ocean Dialogue: Focusing on IPLCs
    15 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 09:00–15:00 
    The People of the Ocean Dialogue will bring together Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to elevate community leadership in ocean action and advance the Western Indian Ocean LMMA Alliance.
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  • Regenerative Ocean Forum
    15 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 08:30–17:00
    Organised in collaboration with Ocean Hub Africa, the Smithsonian, WEF, UNECA and other partners, the Forum will convene a series of sessions on the regenerative blue economy, with a focus on policy, finance, entrepreneurship and investment.

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  • BBNJ – Western Indian Ocean Meeting
    15 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 08:30–10:30 | Partner: Bloomberg 
    This meeting will support regional dialogue on BBNJ implementation in the Western Indian Ocean, including opportunities for cooperation, capacity development and early action.

     

  • ReSea Showcase and Networking: Scaling Regenerative Seascapes in the WIO
    15 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 15:00–17:00
    The ReSea Project will host a series of panel discussions showcasing approaches to scaling regenerative seascapes in the Western Indian Ocean, followed by a networking reception.

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  • IUCN and Partners Cocktail Reception
    15 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 17:00–19:00
    A networking reception for IUCN, partners and invited guests to strengthen collaboration and support engagement across OOC11.

     

  • Our Deep Ocean: Safegaurding hummanity’s common heritage for future generations 
    15 June | PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, Infinity Deck Bar | 18:00–20:00
    A networking Cocktail reception co-hosted by IUCN and Partners including the Government of Malawi, Palau and Vanuatu.

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  • Irish Embassy / IUCN Session: Advancing the Regenerative Blue Economy
    16 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 09:00–11:00 
    Building on IUCN’s partnership with the Government of Ireland in Tanzania and Mozambique, this joint IUCN–Ireland session will showcase results in blue jobs, ecosystem restoration, ocean governance and community-led action, while engaging partners on a potential multi-country regenerative blue economy programme for announcement at Our Ocean Conference.

     

  • BBNJ – High Ambition Coalition Session
    16 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 08:30–10:30 | Partner: Bloomberg 
    This session will support engagement with the High Ambition Coalition on BBNJ, focusing on implementation priorities, partnerships and opportunities for collective action.

     

  • Road to COP31: Ocean-Climate Action Agenda
    16 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 11:00–13:00 
    Convened with the High-Level Climate Champions and the Ocean & Climate Platform, this session will build on the Regenerative Ocean Forum and support the development of the COP31 Ocean Action Agenda.

     

  • Zero Plastic to the Ocean: A Strategic Engagement for Plastics Circularity in the WIO Region
    16 June | PrideInn Flamingo | 14:00–17:00 
    Organised under IUCN’s IslandPlas project, this session will focus on systemic strategies to accelerate Africa’s transition towards a circular plastics economy, while supporting alignment with the Global Plastics Treaty.

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  • IPLC Roundtable and WIO LMMA Alliance Learning Lab
    16 June | Bahari Beach Hotel | 09:00–14:00 & 14:00–16:00
    Bridging the Divide – Unlocking Relevant Finance for Locally Led Marine Conservation 
    This event will convene IPLC leaders, LMMA practitioners, partners and finance actors to explore practical pathways for strengthening locally led marine conservation and the WIO LMMA Alliance.

     

  • Great Blue Wall at the WIO-C Pavilion
    17 June | OOC Paradise | 14:00–16:00 
    IUCN will organise Great Blue Wall events under the Western Indian Ocean Consortium Pavilion, showcasing Large Marine Seascapes, LMMAs, blue economy and ocean governance initiatives. The session will also include the launch of the Great Blue Wall Impact Report.

     

  • The ocean at the Center - Mobilizin Climate, Nature & Finance
    17 June | PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort| 18:30–21:00 
    Join the World Resources Institute, Oceano Azul Foundation, IUCN and Friends of Ocean Action for a high-level reception to reflect on how the ocean can serve as the bridge connecting climate and biodiversity agendas — with finance enabling implementation at scale.

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  • Kilifi Seascape Visit: Demonstrating Two Decades of Locally Led Ocean Governance
    19 June | Kuruwitu Locally Managed Marine Area, Kilifi County
    This field visit will provide delegates with a first-hand opportunity to engage with the Kuruwitu LMMA, Kenya’s first coral reef-based locally managed marine area. Established in 2005–2006 by the Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare Association, the LMMA demonstrates how community-led ocean governance can support coral reef recovery, sustainable fisheries, livelihood resilience and inclusive co-management. The visit will highlight the model’s achievements, sustainability approach, challenges and opportunities for scaling community-led marine conservation across Kenya and the Western Indian Ocean.