Kenya has declared its readiness to host the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting (COMM) in 2026, according to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Speaking during the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Mudavadi said the gathering would build on achievements made during the inaugural COMM in Cyprus in April 2024.
At the Cyprus meeting, Commonwealth leaders adopted the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration under the theme “One Resilient Common Future”. The declaration strongly affirmed action to address sea level rise, global warming, and the sustainable use of marine resources. Kenya expressed interest in hosting the next summit, tentatively set for January 2026 in Mombasa. However, official confirmation is still awaited.
Mudavadi noted that climate change continues to affect Kenya and other Commonwealth nations, particularly through rising sea levels and biodiversity loss. To counter these effects, Kenya has committed to increasing forest cover by planting 1.5 billion trees by 2030.
He also emphasized the urgent need to reform the global financial architecture, highlighting that high financing costs and climate shocks limit governments’ capacity to respond effectively. “Commonwealth Member States need a fairer and more responsive international development finance system,” he stated.
The Apia CHOGM 2024 resolution urged member states to accelerate efforts in protecting and sustainably using ocean resources while tackling challenges such as pollution and overexploitation.
Kenya, a member of the Commonwealth since independence in 1963, remains committed to the bloc’s values of democracy, sustainability, and cooperation. The organisation, led by King Charles III as Head of the Commonwealth, supports its members through reforms, reconciliation, and development initiatives.
If approved, the 2026 COMM in Mombasa will not only spotlight Kenya’s role in global climate action but also reaffirm its leadership in sustainable ocean governance across the Commonwealth.
