By Wilfred Kizito
Kenya has officially been selected to host the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in March 2026, President William Ruto announced during a high-level meeting in Japan.
Speaking while on his official visit to Tokyo, President Ruto extended an invitation to global partners to attend the forum, which will focus on sustainable ocean use, food security, and value addition in the blue economy sector.
“Let me take this opportunity to welcome all of you to Kenya next year in March for the Ocean Conference, where we will be discussing African opportunities in the Blue Economy space,” said President Ruto.
The President emphasized that hosting the global conference shows Kenya’s commitment to environmental care and positions the country as a key state in shaping sustainable solutions for the world’s oceans.
Japan, alongside other international stakeholders, is expected to collaborate with Kenya in formulating policies and investments that safeguard marine resources while unlocking economic opportunities across Africa.
The Our Ocean Conference, launched in 2014, has become a leading global platform for advancing ocean action, bringing together governments, civil society, and the private sector.