MOMBASA, Kenya—President William Ruto has called for urgent and coordinated global action to protect the world’s oceans, warning that rising temperatures, pollution, and overexploitation are pushing marine ecosystems to their limits.
Speaking during the closing of the 11th edition of Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa County on Wednesday, the President said the ocean is under unprecedented pressure, noting that it absorbs most of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions and a significant share of global carbon dioxide.
He warned that the impacts are already being felt through rising sea levels, acidifying waters, stronger storms, marine heatwaves, and coastal flooding, which he said are displacing communities and destroying infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions.
Ruto also pointed to marine pollution, especially plastics, as a growing threat, saying it is now reaching even the deepest parts of the ocean and affecting marine life.
The President said global efforts to address ocean challenges have in the past been slowed by weak political will, limited financing, fragmented governance, and slow adoption of innovation, but noted that recent international agreements signal progress.
He cited the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty, which he described as the first legal framework to protect biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, as well as the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which he said strengthens global efforts towards sustainable ocean use.
He noted that Kenya was among the countries whose ratification helped bring the fisheries agreement into force.
The conference, which brought together more than 6,000 delegates from 56 countries, concluded with over 300 new commitments valued at approximately $6.4 billion aimed at advancing ocean conservation and the blue economy.
Ruto said Kenya alone made 50 commitments worth $1.1 billion, focused on expanding marine protected areas, restoring fisheries, combating climate change, reducing pollution, strengthening maritime security, and promoting sustainable economic growth along the coast.
He said the commitments also include investment in offshore renewable energy, circular economy approaches, sustainable fisheries, and national sustainable ocean planning.
However, the President cautioned that commitments must be backed by implementation, warning that pledges without action will not match the scale of the challenges facing the oceans.
He called for increased mobilisation of finance, stronger use of technology and innovation, and improved coordination of existing ocean governance frameworks, adding that the cost of protecting the ocean should not fall disproportionately on developing countries.
“We did not come to Mombasa to add our names to a longer list of promises. We came to turn the tide,” he said, urging leaders to convert political commitments into concrete action that delivers economic opportunities while protecting marine ecosystems.
Ruto concluded by thanking delegates for their participation and invited them to experience Kenya’s coastal tourism attractions, expressing confidence that the conference would leave lasting memories while advancing global ocean protection efforts.
