Tanzania is set to host a major international conference on marine and coastal conservation, positioning the country at the centre of global efforts to protect ocean resources while unlocking economic opportunities.
The 12th Conference of Parties (COP12) under the Nairobi Convention will take place in Dar es Salaam from October 6 to 9, 2026, bringing together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to discuss sustainable management of the Western Indian Ocean.
Speaking in Dodoma on April 20, 2026, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Environment in the Vice President’s Office, Ambassador Baraka Luvanda, said preparations are already underway, with a national organising committee formed to coordinate the event.
The committee brings together key ministries, government institutions and agencies to ensure the conference is delivered efficiently and that Tanzania fully benefits from hosting it.
“Tanzania has been entrusted with this responsibility following a decision made during the 11th meeting held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 2024. This reflects confidence in our country’s role in advancing environmental protection in the region,” he said.
He noted that the Nairobi Convention, which Tanzania is part of, focuses on the protection, management and development of marine and coastal environments in the Western Indian Ocean, with member states meeting every two years to assess progress and address emerging challenges.
The conference is expected to attract more than 500 participants, including senior government leaders, experts and development partners.
Director of Blue Economy Development and Coordination in the Vice President’s Office, Ms Magdalena Ngotolainyo, said hosting COP12 presents an opportunity for Tanzania to promote investment in the blue economy.
She said key sectors likely to benefit include fisheries, tourism and marine conservation projects, alongside stronger regional cooperation.
The country also stands to gain from exposure to new technologies and global best practices that can improve policies and strategies for managing ocean resources.
At the same time, Tanzania will participate in the Eleventh Our Ocean Conference scheduled for June 16 to 18, 2026, in Mombasa, Kenya.
The forum, themed “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” will be held in Africa for the first time.
A marine expert, Eng Gregory Mella, said the upcoming COP12 will also focus on balancing conservation with community benefits, ensuring coastal populations continue to rely on ocean resources sustainably.
With a coastline stretching over 1,400 kilometres, Tanzania’s economy and livelihoods are closely tied to the ocean, making such global engagements critical.
As preparations gather pace, the government is banking on the conference not only to strengthen environmental protection but also to elevate Tanzania’s profile as a regional hub for blue economy investment and cooperation.
