It will become the second Centre in Africa after Ghana and the 7th globally after Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia and the Philippines—each contributing to locally driven, globally informed solutions in the blue economy.
Kenya is set to become the second African country to host the United Nation’s Ocean Centre, with a view of spearheading sustainable growth in the East African country’s blue economy.
The Global Compact Network Kenya will manage the Centre after its launch in Mombasa in July 2025, in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
It will become the second Centre in Africa after Ghana and the 7th globally after Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia and the Philippines—each contributing to locally driven, globally informed solutions in the blue economy.
According to Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya, availability of the Centre will accelerate the crafting of blue economy strategies that not only reflect local needs, but have a continental and global impact.
“We need an ocean economy that works for all, especially those on the frontlines of climate change, unemployment, and marine degradation,” she noted.
Global Compact Network Kenya works across aquaculture and fishing, shipping and ports, offshore wind, and finance and investment, which are key thematic areas critical to the future of the blue economy.
Njino noted that the Kenya Ocean Centre will co-create homegrown strategies for a safer, fairer, and more resilient blue economy, with the ripple effect being attracting sustainable investments from both local and international investors.
Kenya was designated as the 7th country to host the UN Ocean Centre, during a recently concluded 3rd UN Ocean Conference in France.
During the conference, deliberations were centered on mobilizing action for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
One of the notable successes of UNOC3 was the progress made on the High Seas Treaty.
The treaty focuses on the protection of international waters, or nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half the surface of the planet.
Before the Conference, 31 countries had ratified the treaty; with the number now reaching 50, or just 10 short of the 60 required for its entry into force.
The treaty took nearly two decades to negotiate, and it may finally enter into force just over two years after its adoption.
With such positives from the conference, Kirsten Schuijt, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International Director General said ocean health is declining at alarming rate, calling for concerted efforts in preventing further decline.
“There is no healthy planet without a healthy ocean,” she noted, in a LinkedIn post.
Some of her recommendations include protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 with effective and equitable governance, eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies and advancing fair, sustainable management solutions, implementing the High Seas Treaty and securing a robust global plastics treaty to curb pollution at its source.