The June 2026 issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is now published, capturing a pivotal period for ocean governance and regional cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). This edition spotlights the landmark 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, where Africa’s leadership and regional partnerships set the stage for new commitments and collaborative action. It also marks the Nairobi Convention’s 40-year legacy as a cornerstone for collective marine stewardship, and reviews preparations for COP12, which will shape future priorities for sustainable ocean management.
Key outcomes from recent events are featured, including Madagascar’s Ocean Week and the Toliara Declaration, Mozambique’s Marine Biodiversity Conference advancing inclusive conservation, and the Academia and Research Symposium in Mombasa, where the Ocean–Climate Declaration was adopted to drive science-led action for the blue economy. Seychelles, meanwhile, marks a milestone in marine governance with the gazettement of its Marine Spatial Planning Agency, establishing a foundation for integrated management.
Across the region, capacity development is gaining momentum. The largest WIO-COMPAS certification event to date was held in Sainte Marie, Madagascar while the Hifadhi Blu Programme is supporting nine Ocean Conservation Areas to strengthen governance, monitoring, and adaptive management systems.
These developments highlight the region’s collective commitment to advancing resilient, evidence-based ocean stewardship and fostering sustainable growth.
Read the full Newsbrief to explore these stories and more shaping the future of ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean.
