The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya highlighted the need for countries to manage aquatic foods for people's nutrition, not just for production and trade. A new op-ed argues that African countries should focus on managing fisheries for the nutritional benefits it provides to their people. Fishers in Timor-Leste have been logging their trips and recording data on the gear used, habitats visited, and catch brought home to better understand how small-scale fishing nourishes people. The value of a catch should not just be measured in kilos, but also in the nutrients it provides to local diets. This shift in focus is crucial for inclusive development and social impact in fisheries management. Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in delivering key micronutrients to 2.3 billion people globally. It is essential to rethink food systems investments and ensure that development institutions are investing enough in this valuable nutritional resource. By managing fisheries not only for production but also for the nutritional benefits they provide, Africa can harness its oceans for greater social impact and inclusive development. Essam Yassin Mohammed, director general of WorldFish, leads efforts to advance research and innovation in aquatic food systems to promote sustainable fisheries management.
Tag: Kenya
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Mombasa: Key outcomes from the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya
The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya saw countries commit to political declarations on banning deep-sea mining, protecting coral reefs, and combating illegal fishing. African countries played a key role in driving ambition on fisheries transparency and marine protected areas, with 320 commitments made, including funding for research and waste management programs. The High Seas Treaty, entering into force in January 2026, will allow countries to establish MPAs in international waters to achieve the "30 by 30" target. Discussions on deep-sea mining included calls for a precautionary pause, while commitments were made to protect climate-resilient coral reefs. The summit also focused on advancing fisheries transparency and sustainable management, with a need to address overfishing and integrate climate change considerations for long-term sustainability.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/mombasa-key-outcomes-from-the-our-ocean-conference-in-kenya/
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Kenya Launches Landmark Blue Carbon Ecosystems Plan at OOC11
Kenya has developed a comprehensive plan to deploy blue carbon ecosystems to meet its climate commitments through 2035, aiming to restore degraded mangroves, create jobs, and mobilize investment. The initiative includes targets to reduce emissions, create jobs, and generate community revenues through various ventures, reaffirming Kenya's commitment to the Paris Agreement. By protecting and restoring Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCEs) through a multi-tiered financing architecture, Kenya seeks to position itself as a leader in ocean-based climate action, with collaboration between government, research institutions, partners, civil society, and coastal communities being crucial for successful implementation. Key stakeholders stress the importance of protecting BCEs for supporting livelihoods, building resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainable development, further strengthening Kenya's position as a regional leader in ocean-climate resilience.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/kenya-launches-blue-carbon-ecosystems-plan-at-ooc11
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Mombasa ocean summit drives marine protection worth $6.4 billion
Governments and delegates at the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya reaffirmed commitments to protect marine ecosystems, with a focus on addressing climate-related issues such as blue carbon ecosystems, coastal adaptation, and marine biodiversity. Former US climate envoy John Kerry emphasized the importance of prioritizing ocean protection in global climate policy and urged for political will to align with scientific knowledge. The conference aimed to push marine issues to the forefront of global climate diplomacy and build momentum for the upcoming COP31 climate summit in Türkiye. Ocean-based solutions could contribute up to 35% of emissions reductions needed to limit global warming, with over 2,900 commitments worth nearly $170 billion generated in the past decade. Despite challenges in accessing sustained funding for marine conservation efforts, the upcoming Our Ocean Conference is seen as a critical moment to increase the prominence of the ocean in climate discussions and align political ambition with funding, implementation, and accountability to protect the ocean as Earth's life support system.
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What in the World Could Conservationists from the Rainforest and the Savannah Learn from Each Other? A Lot, It Turns Out.
Wildlife conservationists from Ewaso Lions in Kenya visited Sabah, Malaysian Borneo to exchange knowledge and collaborate with local organizations on community-led conservation efforts. They learned about the challenges of human-wildlife conflict, particularly with Bornean elephants, and innovative strategies to mitigate conflict. The visit included a community-led conservation workshop at Hutan headquarters, where both teams shared insights on conservation approaches. Ewaso Lions is using feedback from the trip to refine their community-led conservation framework and empower local communities in Kenya. The exchange highlighted the universal language of conservation and the importance of collaboration in advancing solutions for wildlife and people to coexist. The team also visited a women-led tree nursery and observed wild orangutans in restoration areas, inspiring them to establish their own tree nursery and explore landscape-scale coexistence models. The experience emphasized the importance of community empowerment in conservation efforts and the shared passion of women working in conservation across the globe, showing that when local communities lead, wildlife can thrive.
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Restoration Best Practices
Mangrove ecosystems are facing collapse by 2050, with successful restoration efforts requiring an understanding of site conditions and addressing barriers to natural regeneration. Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) is a recognized approach that combines ecological understanding and community stewardship to create more biodiverse and resilient ecosystems. Restoring degraded mangrove ecosystems by addressing hydrological barriers has proven successful in El Salvador and Kenya, improving habitat quality, fisheries productivity, and biodiversity. Protecting existing mangrove forests is crucial, as they provide critical ecosystem services and are more cost-effective than restoration. Restoration projects should prioritize ecological processes, engage local communities, and work with nature to create diverse, resilient, and sustainable mangrove ecosystems.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/ocean-day-restoration-best-practices
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New metric assesses innovation readiness in agrivoltaics
The Agrivoltaic Innovation Index (AII) developed by researchers at Firat University evaluates research-driven innovation in agrivoltaics across four dimensions and distinguishes innovation readiness from general research performance. European and East Asian nations rank higher in AII tiers, while countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of South and Southeast Asia exhibit lower overall AII values due to weak diffusion mechanisms and collaboration structures. The AII can help governments identify gaps in technology and knowledge sharing to create policies addressing weaknesses in research, with countries like Burkina Faso, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and Niger showing high AII scores despite fewer published papers, indicating focused projects addressing urgent local needs. These nations could benefit from international cooperation and support to further develop agrivoltaic innovation clusters.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/22/new-metric-assesses-innovation-readiness-in-agrivoltaics/
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Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realisation of Agenda 2063 – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
The Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Kenya emphasized the importance of South-South Cooperation in Sustainable Urban Development in the Era of Climate Crisis, with a focus on housing as a unifying platform for enhancing productivity, climate resilience, social cohesion, and long-term prosperity in alignment with Agenda 2063. Mr. Philip Kilonzo of PACJA highlighted the significance of South-South cooperation in sustainable development. Civil Society Organizations in the Global South are leading community-driven climate adaptation efforts, upgrading informal settlements, implementing water recycling measures, and promoting nature-based solutions to bridge the gap between communities and governments.
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Women and girls bearing brunt of water shortages globally, UN warns
The climate crisis exacerbates water shortages and lack of sanitation, disproportionately affecting women and girls who are responsible for collecting water in many rural households. The UN is urging countries to address this imbalance and ensure equal access to water for women, as poor sanitation also hinders women's health, education, and economic opportunities. World Vision charity highlights the importance of toilets and good hygiene for overall community well-being, with successful projects in places like Rumate, Kenya empowering women to improve infrastructure, health, and economic prospects. By addressing these challenges and harmful social norms, entire communities can benefit from improved health, education, and economic opportunities.
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Technology for Good
Wetlands International has been training rangers, forest managers, and decision-makers in Kenya on the Global Mangrove Watch platform to use satellite alerts for timely protection of mangroves. The training focused on tools like Kobo Collect and Survey123, GIS basics, mobile GIS, and data visualization to empower participants to detect and respond to disturbance alerts effectively. Efforts to monitor and restore mangroves in Lamu have been made, with a mangrove alert command center opened as part of the Save Our Mangroves Now! Programme. Despite degradation from urban development, Kenya has potential for mangrove restoration, and the Global Mangrove Watch platform offers high-resolution imagery for monitoring mangrove changes in near-real time, enabling rapid response to threats like illegal logging. The training aims to support faster action and protection of mangroves through digital monitoring.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/technology-for-good-global-mangrove-watch-training-in-kenya