African and Commonwealth Nations Call for Swift Implementation of High Seas Treaty at Mombasa Conference BODY: Mombasa, Kenya – At the 11th Our Ocean Conference, African and Commonwealth nations have called for the expedited implementation of the High Seas Treaty, a landmark agreement aimed at safeguarding the high seas. Despite commitments to marine conservation, these nations caution that substantial ocean protection remains largely theoretical.
The conference, held in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa, marked the first time an African nation has hosted the major annual event, which focuses on addressing critical ocean issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and pollution. Delegates from across Africa, the United States, the European Union, and climate-vulnerable Caribbean and Pacific island nations participated in discussions. U.
S. Secretary of State John Kerry praised the High Seas Treaty, which entered into force in January 2026, as a historic achievement.
However, he cautioned that progress in ocean protection remains insufficient. “We have 10% of the ocean under protection this year, “Kerry stated, emphasizing the need for accelerated action.
The treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, seeks to help countries achieve a global target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, emphasized the need for tangible actions, not just promises. “.
The purpose of this roundtable is not to restate ambition, but to convert such pledges into measurable results, “Joho.
The Commonwealth’s 56 member states, which account for 36% of the world’s ocean jurisdiction and nearly half of its coral reefs, have a unique responsibility in protecting marine resources.
As negotiations continue in Mombasa, delegates anticipate critical months ahead that will determine whether the treaty becomes a transformative tool for ocean conservation or another set of unfulfilled promises.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: AfricaNews
