Tanzania to Host COP12 Marine Conservation Conference in October
Tanzania will host the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP12) in Dar es Salaam from 6 to 9 October 2026, with more than 500 international delegates expected to attend. The conference will bring together member states, scientists, and stakeholders to advance joint strategies for the sustainable management of the Western Indian Ocean's marine and coastal environment. Tanzania was selected to chair and host the event during the 11th session held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in August 2024, and has since established a multi-sectoral national preparatory committee to coordinate logistics and maximise the country's benefit from hosting the summit.
The conference is expected to generate economic opportunities linked to blue economy investment while strengthening sectors including fisheries and tourism. Tanzania has also been invited to participate in the 11th Our Ocean Conference, scheduled for 16 to 18 June 2026 in Mombasa, Kenya - the first time the global forum will be held on the African continent. With a coastline stretching over 1,400 kilometres, Tanzania's coastal communities are closely linked to the ocean, giving the country a direct stake in the outcomes of both forums. Officials noted that the meetings will also serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and access to new technologies to support sustainable marine resource management.
Source: Daily News Tanzania
