MOMBASA — Regional leaders, conservationists, and private sector players gathered at the Serena Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa to mark World Oceans Day with a call for bold, collective action to secure the future of marine ecosystems and unlock the potential of the blue economy across East Africa and the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region.
The event, themed "Our Ocean, Our Future: Optimizing Blue Marine Economies and Protecting Through Collective Action," served as the official launchpad for the Kilindini Campaign--a growing multi-country alliance promoting inclusive, community-led stewardship of ocean resources.
Organized by Ascending Africa, the breakfast session brought together stakeholders from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mauritius. Discussions centered on reversing marine degradation and building an equitable, regenerative blue economy driven by local leadership, indigenous knowledge, sustainable investment, and policy innovation.
Tendai Mtana, spokesperson for the Kilindini Campaign, emphasized the need for regional unity and community ownership in addressing the threats facing marine ecosystems. "We are here today not just to commemorate World Oceans Day, but to chart a new course--one defined by shared values, inclusive economics, and a deep respect for our ocean heritage," he said. "This is a moment to come together and define what that heritage will look like for future generations."
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The Kilindini Campaign aims to respond to challenges such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), loss of marine biodiversity, and minimal community representation in ocean governance. The campaign framework focuses on strengthening community-led marine conservation, promoting locally owned blue enterprises, elevating traditional ecological knowledge, and driving equitable policy engagement at the regional level.
Participants at the event were treated to short documentaries that showcased innovation and conservation efforts by coastal communities. These films illustrated how grassroots solutions are already making a difference in protecting marine life and improving local livelihoods.
Breakout sessions and expert panels explored practical steps for financing locally led marine initiatives, improving data access, and enhancing cooperation across borders. One of the central goals of the forum was to mobilize broad support for the Kilindini Campaign's next phase, including endorsement of its guiding principles and commitment to collaborative action.
"This is more than just an event--it is the birth of a regional movement for blue marine transformation," Mtana noted. "We are building adaptive leadership in an adaptive climate--one that supports the livelihoods of our ocean's stewards and places local voices at the heart of ocean governance."
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The Kilindini Campaign is currently establishing stakeholder working groups, preparing policy white papers on marine investment and governance, and launching outreach efforts across the region. The coalition plans to consolidate these efforts into a unified regional declaration by June 24, 2025.
"Today, we shape a different path, one led by the people who live, fish, protect, and depend on these waters every day," Mtana concluded. "We call on every partner, policy-maker, entrepreneur, and citizen to join us in reimagining our ocean's future."
