June 10, 2025 — Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Amb. Prof. Peter Ngure, delivered a powerful keynote address at a high-profile side event during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France. The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from June 9–13, 2025, brought together global leaders to accelerate action for ocean conservation under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility”
He underscored Kenya’s leadership in marine conservation, citing initiatives like the Blue Economy Strategy and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, which integrates sustainable ocean resource management.
Kenya’s Vision for Ocean Action
Amb. Ngure reiterated Kenya’s advocacy for:
- Inclusive Ocean Governance: Ensuring the voices of coastal communities, Indigenous Peoples, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are central to decision-making.
- Science-Policy Synergy: Leveraging UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to bridge gaps between research and actionable policies.
- Climate Resilience: Addressing rising sea levels and ocean acidification, which threaten livelihoods in Africa and beyond.
His speech resonated with the Nice Ocean Action Plan, the conference’s outcome document, which aims to galvanize voluntary commitments from nations and stakeholders.
Side Event Highlights
The side event, attended by scientists, policymakers, and civil society, also featured:
- Discussions on ocean data sharing and technology for sustainable fisheries.
- Kenya’s collaboration with UNESCO’s Ocean Decade initiatives to advance marine science.
- A call to ratify the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) to protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
A Legacy of Leadership
Amb. Ngure’s participation builds on Kenya’s legacy as a co-host of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon and reinforces its role in shaping global ocean agendas. As he noted, “The ocean is not just a resource—it is our shared heritage. Kenya stands ready to work with UNESCO and all partners to turn pledges into progress.”
