Our Ocean Conference in Africa: Systemic Gaps Between Promises and Ocean Protection
Original framing: “Our Ocean Conference: After Mombasa – Will Africa and the World Make Ocean Promises Real?” — Global Issues
Fishers, women, and youth in African coastal communities are often excluded from decision-making processes. Their voices are critical for developing ocean policies that are both just and effective.
The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa exposed the gap between global promises and the systemic challenges facing ocean conservation in Africa.
To move forward, ocean governance must be restructured to include Indigenous and local knowledge, address historical injustices, and prioritize the voices of marginalized communities. By integrating cross-cultural perspectives, redirecting funding, and promoting equitable governance, we can build a more just and sustainable future for the ocean. This requires not only policy reform but also a cultural shift in how we understand and relate to the sea.