MOMBASA, KENYA (June 18, 2026) – The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya.

Said Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy:

“This week exceeded our expectations in terms of advancing strong commitments for actions that have tremendous potential to truly lead to equitable and effective protection and conservation of ocean ecosystems, for the benefit of biodiversity and the local communities around the globe that depend on that biodiversity and healthy marine environments.

“Now the hard work must begin, or continue, to truly protect our ocean, including from over-fishing that harms marine life and local livelihoods, as well as illegal and destructive fishing practices—so that we can achieve restoration and protection of the ecological integrity of marine ecosystems.

“WCS helped lead and launch several major global initiatives over the course of the week, including: launch of a landmark scientific report on climate-resilient coral reefs and the signing of a commitment to protect those reefs by five additional governments; and announcement of new commitments by several African governments to deliver on area-based conservation along their coasts, including the gazettement of new marine protected areas. WCS and partners also proudly convened the expansion of the Women Ocean Guardians coalition, formerly in Latin America and the Caribbean, into Africa—where women leaders from 11 African countries, who gathered on the Kenyan coast in the days prior, came together and issued a declaration calling for dignity, justice, and healthy oceans.  

“WCS is committed to drive support directly to the front lines of ocean conservation—whether that’s leveraging resources directly into to coastal communities and women leaders or using the latest global climate change science to identify and protect the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs. 

“We see this Conference, only 4 years away from the 2030 deadline for fulfilment of the government commitments of the Global Biodiversity Framework, as a vital milestone along the urgent path towards area-based conservation, including the #30x30 target. However, protected and conserved areas must be more than lines on a map, and must truly be representative, based on sound science and local knowledge, and managed equitably and effectively. Many of the commitments this week will help reach the full potential of that target.

“While we recognize the critical value of the #30x30 target, we continue to urge governments, donors and partners not to forget about implementation of the other 22 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. We highlight particular attention to inclusive and equitable marine spatial planning (GBF Target 1), actions to halt marine species extinction and endangerment (GBF Target 4), ensuring that all use and trade in marine species is legal, sustainable, and safe (GBF Target 5), reducing pollution risks (GBF Target 7), increasing climate-resilience (GBF Target 8), ensuring equitable, gender-inclusive participation in ocean governance and decision-making (GBF Target 22), and more. These are all core elements of our WCS 2030 Marine Conservation Strategy.

“Commitments and promises are not an end in themselves, but a milestone along a critical path. WCS stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our government and community partners, in working to turn these promises into action. The ocean cannot wait; the time is now. We look forward to reporting on achievements and on increased ecological integrity of marine ecosystems at the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027, in Canada.”