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Urge Development Brief Desk | East Africa. Urge- DevWire

Mombasa | 18 June 2026

UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission participated in the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, advancing the role of ocean science, data and international cooperation in marine protection.

The Commission said its engagement in Mombasa was intended to ensure that ocean science supports decision making, conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

The conference provided a platform for scientific institutions, governments and development partners to discuss marine data, ocean observation, biodiversity protection and coastal resilience.

For East Africa, the science agenda is important because the Western Indian Ocean supports fisheries, tourism, trade routes and coastal communities that are exposed to climate change, marine pollution and ecosystem pressure.

The participation of UNESCO’s ocean body reinforced the need for stronger scientific capacity in African coastal states, including marine research, early warning systems, ocean literacy and evidence based policy.

The Mombasa conference placed Kenya and the wider region within a global process that links ocean protection with livelihoods, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Source: UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

UNESCO Ocean Commission Advances Science Agenda at Mombasa Conference

Dev-News | UrgeDevWire | East Africa