By Admin
Regional leaders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector gathered at Serena Beach Resort & Spa to mark World Oceans Day with a powerful call to protect marine ecosystems and advance sustainable blue economies.
Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Future: Optimizing Blue Marine Economies and Protecting Through Collective Action,” the event demanded urgent collaboration to safeguard the region’s vital ocean resources.
Hosted by Ascending Africa, the summit galvanized support for the Kilindini Campaign, a growing East African and South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) alliance pushing for an inclusive, community-driven approach to ocean governance.
The campaign champions indigenous knowledge, policy innovation, and regenerative investment to secure marine health and coastal livelihoods.
“We are not just commemorating World Oceans Day, we are charting a new course,” declared Tendai Mtana, Kilindini Campaign Spokesperson.
“This movement is built on the belief that ‘Bahari Yetu ni Urithi’ (Our Ocean is Heritage). Now is the time to define what that heritage will be for generations to come.”
A Regional Response to Ocean Threats
The campaign launches as East Africa and the SWIO region grapple with illegal fishing, biodiversity loss, and exclusionary governance.
To counter these threats, the initiative focuses on four key pillars: community-led marine conservation, locally owned blue enterprises, traditional ecological knowledge preservation, and equitable policy engagement.
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Backed by Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mauritius, the coalition aims to amplify grassroots voices in decision-making while tackling shared challenges, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Films, Debates, and a Call to Action
Attendees screened short documentaries showcasing coastal communities leading conservation efforts, proving that local innovation can drive real change.
Breakout sessions tackled pressing issues, including funding grassroots marine solutions, improving data sharing for smarter policies, strengthening regional cooperation against illegal fishing, and adopting the Kilindini Guiding Principles.
Participants pledged to endorse the campaign’s vision, join outreach efforts, and amplify its message.
“This isn’t just an event, it’s the birth of a movement,” Mtana emphasized. “We’re putting adaptive leadership and local stewards at the center of ocean governance.”
The Kilindini Campaign is now forming stakeholder working groups, drafting blue economy white papers, and mobilizing coastal communities to ensure a unified regional voice.
“The path forward must be shaped by those who live, fish, and depend on these waters,” Mtana urged.
“We need every policymaker, entrepreneur, and citizen to help reimagine our ocean’s future.”
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