LONDON, UK — Kenya has stepped up diplomatic engagement in the United Kingdom, advancing its global agenda on ocean governance, biodiversity conservation, and multilateral cooperation ahead of the 11th Our Ocean Conference set to be held in Nairobi in June 2026.
The Kenya High Commission in London said the engagements reflected the country’s growing leadership in environmental diplomacy and sustainable development, with discussions spanning peace and security, climate action, and science-based policy-making.
As part of the week’s engagements, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Manoah Esipisu Makoloo, hosted Mr Amitav Banerji, Projects Director at the Global Leadership Foundation, for talks focused on global peace and security.
According to the High Commission, the discussions examined the need to balance traditional diplomatic approaches with new ideas in addressing complex international challenges.
Mr Banerji commended Kenya’s continued role in promoting peace, particularly in Africa, while Ambassador Makoloo reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to global leadership through dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
The High Commission also co-hosted a high-level briefing with the World Resources Institute (WRI) for diplomatic missions and civil society organisations to mobilise support ahead of the 11th Our Ocean Conference.
Kenya will host the conference from June 16 to 18, 2026, marking the first time the global ocean forum will be held in Africa.
Addressing participants, Ambassador Makoloo said Kenya intended to use the conference to push for ambitious and practical solutions to ocean degradation, grounded in science, indigenous knowledge, and innovative financing mechanisms.
“Kenya’s ambitions with this conference are bold and unapologetic,” he said, adding that the country seeks concrete commitments that advance ocean sustainability across Africa and beyond.
Kenya’s hosting of the conference comes amid increasing international focus on marine ecosystems, climate resilience, and the blue economy. The government has previously committed to strengthening ocean governance, expanding marine conservation areas, and promoting sustainable use of ocean resources as part of its climate and development strategy.
The High Commissioner also led Kenya’s delegation to the 12th Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), held in Manchester from February 3 to 8, 2026.
The session was chaired by Kenyan marine scientist Dr David Obura and brought together representatives from 106 governments, including 36 African countries.
The discussions focused on the relationship between economic activity and nature conservation, an area Kenya has consistently highlighted in global environmental negotiations.
Ambassador Makoloo urged governments to adopt new scientific tools and evidence-informed policies to address biodiversity loss.
“As individuals and countries, we must consistently invest to get better,” he said.
Universities, research institutions, and civil society organisations also participated in the IPBES session, reinforcing Kenya’s call for inclusive and people-centred approaches to environmental stewardship.
The UK engagements underscore Kenya’s broader diplomatic push to position itself as a leading voice on sustainable development, climate action, and multilateral cooperation, particularly as it prepares to host one of the world’s most influential ocean governance forums.
