The Ocean Conference Kenya 2026 brings together policymakers, researchers, development partners, and practitioners to explore how aquatic food systems can drive resilience, sustainability, and improved nutrition outcomes.

The conference will spotlight the role of oceans and inland waters in supporting livelihoods, strengthening food security, and addressing the growing impacts of climate change.

WorldFish Participation

As a partner host, WorldFish aims to use dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration to accelerate action and elevate aquatic foods within national, regional and global food systems agendas.

Thursday, 18 June 2026
| Africa’s Blue Economy Opportunity: Pathways & Partnerships
| Time: 08:00–10:00 AM

| Session Overview

A by-invite breakfast dialogue co-hosted by the Kenyan State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries and WorldFish, focused on partnership opportunities for a productive, inclusive and climate-resilient blue economy. 

Moderator: Joe Ageyo, an awarded environmental journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the Nation Media Group across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania

Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa

Wednesday, 17 June 2026
| Data in support of Food Security and Nutrition – Aquatic Foods for Resilient Food Systems
| Time: 13:00–14:15 PM

| Session Overview

Hosted by the Global Action Network Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition, led by Norway under the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, with government, UN, research and regional partners. WorldFish Director General Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed will speak on the role of aquatic foods in food security, nutrition, livelihoods and resilient food systems.  

| Panelists

  • Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General, WorldFish 
  • Marian Kjellevold Research Professor, Institute of Marine Research, Norway
  • Manuel Barange, Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
  • Johnstone Omukoto Omuhaya, Senior Scientist, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute 
  • Francis Thoya, Founder, Seaberry Snacks 
  • Erik Olsen, Co-chair, Decade Visioning Challenge 3 - Sustainably nourishing the world’s population, UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Institute of Marine Research, Norway

Wednesday, 17 June 2026
| Strengthening Small-Scale Fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean through Data Harmonization 
| Time: 17:30–18:45 PM

| Session Overview

Hosted by WorldFish, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Western Indian Ocean Consortium for the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (WIO-C), this side event will present a regional roadmap for small-scale fisheries data harmonization and explore how stronger, more interoperable data systems can support sustainable fisheries, regional cooperation and inclusive ocean governance. 

| Panelists

  • Emmanuel Mbaru, Research Scientist, WorldFish 
  • Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Secretary, WIOMSA
  • Mr. Jared Agano, Ag. Director, Capture Fisheries, Kenya Fisheries Service
  • Dr. Zahor El-Kharousy, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Zanzibar
  • Mr. Simeão Lopes, Director General of IDEPA, Mozambique

Thursday, 18 June 2026
| A Bottom-Up Approach to Ocean Action: Empowering Local Community Leadership
| Time: 15:15–16:15 PM

Moderator: Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed

Keynote Speaker: Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Government of Ghana

| Panelists

  • Christina Hicks, Professor, University of Lancaster, Oceana Board Member
  • Nancy Chege, Country Programme Manager, UN Development Programme
  • Eric Naivasha, Head of Sustainability, Kenya Commercial Bank
  • Hine Waitai-Dye, Indigenous community leader, One Oceania
  • Tiara Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Black in Marine Science

| Exhibit

Visit the WorldFish exhibit “Oceans for Shared Prosperity: Transforming Africa’s Aquatic Food Systems” to explore how science, partnerships and innovation are helping strengthen nutrition, livelihoods and inclusive blue economy development across Africa.

For more information and registration: Home - Our Ocean Kenya 

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