CORDIO at the 11th Our Ocean Conference
The Our Ocean Conference is critical in the global effort to protect and conserve the ocean, from our shores to the high seas. Launched in 2014, it has become a global call to action for the ocean, mobilizing more than 2,900 commitments worth approximately USD 169 billion.
The 11th Our Ocean Conference will be held from 16–18 June in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, marking the first time the conference is hosted on African soil. Convened under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” the conference brings together governments, businesses, scientists, development partners, and civil society to advance ambitious commitments and collaborative solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable development. As global attention turns to the Western Indian Ocean, the conference will serve as a platform for addressing biodiversity loss, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, climate change, and the future of coastal livelihoods.
CORDIO East Africa is proud to contribute to this landmark event, bringing more than two decades of experience advancing science-based solutions for marine conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable ocean governance across the Western Indian Ocean. Our participation reflects a commitment to ensuring that the region’s priorities, knowledge, and leadership are represented in global ocean discussions and that international commitments are informed by local realities and experience.
A key highlight will be a plenary address by CORDIO Founding Director Dr. David Obura on ocean-climate action, exploring how integrated approaches to conservation, adaptation, and sustainable development can strengthen resilience in marine and coastal systems. Throughout the conference, CORDIO will host and contribute to a series of events focused on strengthening partnerships for marine conservation, advancing Africa’s leadership in achieving the global 30×30 target, promoting sustainable blue tourism, leveraging the Red List of Ecosystems to accelerate coral reef conservation, fostering regional cooperation in the Northern Mozambique Channel, supporting community-led marine protection initiatives, and scaling fisheries transparency reforms across Africa.
Through these engagements, CORDIO will share research, practical experience, and lessons from the Western Indian Ocean, contributing to discussions on marine conservation, sustainable resource use, climate resilience, and community well-being. The sessions will provide opportunities to examine how science, policy, partnerships, and implementation can be better connected to support effective and lasting ocean action.
Find more information about our participation, including our full session schedule and presentation details, below.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Plenary 3: Driving Ambitious Ocean-Climate Action to Support Global Climate Goals
WED JUNE 17 |16.00 PM-17:15 PM EAT – Tembo Hall, Pride Inn Flamingo
Ocean climate action is critical for coastal nations that face rising temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather. During this plenary session, Dr. Obura will join other international experts in spotlighting the roles of blue carbon ecosystems, nature-based resilience, and climate finance in supporting adaptation efforts and strengthening coastal communities.
OUR SIDE EVENTS
Leveraging the Red List of Ecosystems for Action on Coral Reefs
WED JUNE 17 | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM – Sailfish, Pride Inn Paradise
This interactive session will explore how the Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) is being used to assess coral reef risk and inform conservation action, from regional and national assessments in the Western Indian Ocean to an emerging global coral reef initiative.
Through short presentations and a panel discussion featuring experts from CORDIO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Kenya Marine Fisheries, Research Institute (KMFRI) and government partners, we will discuss how RLE findings can support biodiversity targets, marine spatial planning, protected area management, and climate adaptation efforts.
Event Highlights:
- Regional → National → Global coral reef Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) journey
- Real-world case studies from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Comoros & Madagascar
- How ecosystem risk assessments inform policy, MPAs, and climate adaptation
- Linking science directly to Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets 2 & 3
- Barriers and opportunities for turning science into government action
- Perspectives from scientists, governments, and regional partners
- Pathways toward a Global Coral Reef RLE initiative
Pathways to Sustainable Blue Tourism in the Western Indian Ocean
WED JUNE 17 | 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM EAT – Sailfish, Pride Inn Paradise
Sustainable blue tourism presents a unique opportunity to strengthen local livelihoods while safeguarding the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Western Indian Ocean. This session will explore practical pathways for advancing inclusive, resilient, and nature-positive tourism models across the region, drawing on experiences from coastal and island communities.
The event will feature presentations and a moderated panel discussion with leading experts and practitioners, including:
- Joshua Rambahiniarison, Senior Scientist, CORDIO East Africa
- Santatra Razafindratsimba, Blue Finance Lead, WWF Madagascar
- Shauna Mahajan, Seascapes Director – WIO, WWF US (Moderator)
- Brenda Kibiku, Technical Advisor, Blue Economy, GIZ/OBF
- Obakeng Molelu, Science to Policy Manager, WIOMSA
The discussion will focus on enabling policy frameworks, community-led tourism approaches, conservation outcomes, and strategic partnerships that can support sustainable blue tourism across the Western Indian Ocean.
PARTNER SIDE EVENTS
Regenerative Ocean Action: Building the Partnerships Marine Conservation Requires
MON JUNE 15 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Pride Inn Flamingo
Contributing: Dr. David Obura
This pre-event, convened by IUCN and partners through Regenerative Ocean Forum, will explore how diverse stakeholders can strengthen the enabling conditions, shared tools, and collective action needed to scale marine conservation impact.
Effective marine conservation depends not only on science, finance, and policy, but on the partnerships that connect them. Yet significant gaps remain in how knowledge is generated, translated, funded, coordinated, and applied to drive real-world conservation outcomes. This interactive session will draw on insights from cross-sector consultations to identify key barriers to effective collaboration and opportunities for more credible, equitable, and action-oriented engagement.
From Shared Waters to Shared Leadership: Africa’s Vision for the N. Mozambique Channel
TUE JUNE 16 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Sailfish, Paradise
Contributing: Joshua Rambahiniarison & Geoffrey Odhiambo
This regional dialogue will showcase the Northern Mozambique Channel as one of the world’s most connected marine ecosystems and a model for transboundary ocean governance. The session will explore lessons learned from regional collaboration, financing mechanisms for conservation and blue economy delivery at scale, ecosystem connectivity, and political leadership for integrated management of shared ocean resources.
From Commitments to Action: Africa’s Ocean Leadership for Effective 30×30
TUE JUNE 16 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Sailfish, Paradise
Contributing: Joshua Rambahiniarison & Geoffrey Odhiambo
This flagship political session will examine how African countries and regional partnerships can accelerate implementation of the global 30×30 target through effectively managed and equitably governed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Discussions will focus on sustainable financing, regional collaboration, indigenous and local knowledge systems, management effectiveness, and long-term conservation sustainability. A major highlight will be the official launch and regional recognition of the Blue Parks showcasing global standards for effective marine conservation and opportunities for strengthening protected area ambition and performance across Africa.
Making 30×30 Work: Community-Led Marine Protection Across Africa
WED JUNE 17 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM, Black Marlin, Paradise
Contributing: Joshua Rambahiniarison and Geoffrey Odhiambo
Hosted by the Wildlands Conservation Trust (WILDTRUST), Oceana, Blue Ventures, Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative and Together for the Ocean, this side event spotlights how African coastal states and local communities are turning global commitments into real-world results on the ground. Bringing together government leaders, community representatives, and youth voices, this discussion will highlight proven, African-led solutions that restore marine ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods and resilience.
From Africa to the World: Scaling Fisheries Transparency Reforms
WED JUNE 17 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM, Eco Ballroom, Paradise
Contributing: Dr. Melita Samoilys
Hosted by the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative, Stop Illegal Fishing, Oceana, Environmental Justice Foundation and Global Fishing Watch, will showcase how transparency reforms are transforming ocean governance. This session will highlight how regional cooperation and political ambition are being translated into practical, on-the-ground actions such as combating illegal fishing, improving resource management and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.
