Kenya has proposed a comprehensive agenda aimed at transforming global ocean governance and restoring marine ecosystems, ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) set to be held in Nice, France, in June 2025.
Speaking at the Second Nairobi Environmental Diplomacy Symposium (NEDS-2) at the United States International University-Africa, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi unveiled three landmark proposals. These include the establishment of an Ocean Science-Policy Panel to bridge the gap between scientific research and policymaking, the adoption of stronger instruments for sustainable ocean governance beyond existing Sustainable Ocean Plans, and the ratification and expedited implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.
To support these measures, Mudavadi called for the creation of a UN Ocean Finance Facility to fund marine restoration and enhance the resilience of coastal communities. He emphasized that these proposals form part of Kenya’s wider call for global cooperation to reverse the alarming degradation of ocean ecosystems.
“Pollution is a major threat to our oceans. Between 19 to 23 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into aquatic ecosystems annually,” said Mudavadi, citing UNEP statistics. He warned that plastic pollution could reach up to 37 million tonnes by 2040 if urgent measures are not taken.
Kenya is also advocating for a legally binding international treaty to end plastic pollution at the upcoming INC5.2 talks in Geneva this August. Mudavadi stressed that such an instrument must address the entire life cycle of plastics, be supported with financial resources, and promote technology transfer and capacity building.
In a call for multifaceted solutions, he urged the global community to transition toward green development through the promotion of circular economies, the phasing out of single-use plastics, and the adoption of biodegradable alternatives.
Kenya’s firm stance underscores its leadership in championing sustainable environmental governance. Mudavadi welcomed the UN’s decision to expand its presence in Nairobi with three new global offices, a move that affirms the city’s growing role as a global environmental diplomacy hub.
