By Jenifer Gilla
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will host the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Nairobi Convention from October 6 to 9, 2026, bringing global attention to marine and coastal sustainability as pressure on ocean ecosystems intensifies.
The meeting, to be held in Dar es Salaam, is expected to draw policymakers, scientists, civil society actors and development partners from across the Western Indian Ocean region and beyond. Delegates will review progress and agree on joint actions to protect marine ecosystems facing mounting threats from climate change and human activities.
Speaking in Dodoma during the first meeting of the national preparatory committee, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Environment) in the Vice President’s Office, Baraka Luvanda, said a multi-sectoral team had been formed to oversee preparations.
“The Vice President’s Office coordinates the implementation of the Nairobi Convention in the country. We have established a national committee bringing together key stakeholders to ensure the conference is delivered at the highest level,” he said.
Why COP12 matters
Adopted in 1985, the Nairobi Convention provides a legal and institutional framework for the protection, management and sustainable development of marine and coastal environments in the Western Indian Ocean. Its biennial Conference of the Parties assesses implementation of agreed protocols and responds to emerging challenges.
Tanzania will host and chair COP12 following a decision reached at the 11th meeting held in Antananarivo in August 2024.
The conference comes at a time when coral reefs—vital for fisheries, tourism and coastal protection—are under increasing threat from warming seas, pollution and overfishing. Coastal communities are already reporting declining fish catches and shifting marine ecosystems.
Linking local realities to global action
Across Tanzania’s coastline, marine ecosystems support thousands of livelihoods. Small-scale fishers in Lindi and Mtwara, as well as seaweed farmers in Pwani Region and Zanzibar, depend on the ocean for food, income and cultural identity.
However, rising sea temperatures, coral bleaching, destructive fishing practices and unplanned coastal development continue to degrade marine habitats.
According to Sarah Pima of the Human Dignity and Environmental Care Foundation, hosting COP12 presents an opportunity for Tanzania to showcase community-driven solutions such as reef restoration, sustainable fisheries and mangrove conservation.
“It is also a chance to push for increased climate financing, technology transfer and stronger regional cooperation to build resilience among vulnerable coastal communities,” she said.
A pivotal year for ocean governance
Beyond COP12, Tanzania is expected to participate in the 11th Our Ocean Conference 2026 scheduled for June 16–18, 2026 in Mombasa.
The conference, themed “Our Ocean, Our Heritage,” will focus on advancing commitments on marine protection, the blue economy and climate adaptation. Together, the two meetings signal a critical year for ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean region, as countries seek coordinated responses to safeguard marine resources and sustain livelihoods