By Obiabin Onukwugha
As the Ocean Conference opens in Mombasa, Kenya, President Bola Tinubu is expected to make contributions that highlights Nigeria as a major maritime nation, with presentations centred on blue economy development, maritime security and efforts to improve ocean health in the Gulf of Guinea.
The three-day conference, which has its theme, “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future”, will hold between June 16 to 18, with heads of state, ministers, private sector leaders and civil society organisations committed to protecting and sustaining the world’s oceans through measurable actions and partnerships, in attendance.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is representing President Bola Tinubu.
Since its inception in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has gained recognition for its high implementation rate of commitments, distinguishing it from many international forums that focus primarily on dialogue.
This year’s edition, it was gathered, places special emphasis on Africa’s blue economy, which supports more than 50 million jobs across the continent’s 38 coastal nations.
Discussions will focus on key challenges, including illegal fishing, plastic pollution, rising sea temperatures and inadequate marine protection.
The summit will also feature investment forums, a BlueTech exhibition, youth leadership platforms and policy clinics aimed at strengthening climate adaptation and regional cooperation.
