One of the most striking moments for me at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa was realizing that conversations about the High Seas Treaty have fundamentally changed.
For years, the global ocean community focused on negotiating the Treaty. The question was whether countries could reach agreement on how to protect biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Now, that question has been answered.
The Treaty is in force.
The question in Mombasa was different: What happens next?
That shift was present in nearly every discussion I attended. Whether speaking with policymakers, scientists, civil society representatives, or fellow youth advocates, the focus had moved from negotiation to implementation. The world is now preparing for the first Conference of the Parties (CoP1), scheduled for January 2027, where critical decisions will determine how the Treaty functions and how quickly it can deliver meaningful protection for the ocean.
That is why the 11th Our Ocean Conference felt like more than another international gathering. It felt like a milestone on the road to CoP1.
Hosted on Africa’s coastline in Mombasa, the conference brought together leaders from around the world and concluded with more than 320 commitments and approximately US$6.4 billion mobilized for ocean action. The scale of those commitments reflected a growing understanding that the ocean is not simply an environmental issue. As President William Ruto from Kenya noted during the conference, “A healthy ocean is essential for biodiversity, food security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.“
Those words resonated deeply with me.
As a Ugandan, I often encounter the misconception that ocean issues are only relevant to coastal countries. Yet one of the biggest lessons I took away from Mombasa was that there is no such thing as a country disconnected from the ocean. The systems that regulate our climate, influence rainfall patterns, support global food supplies, and drive international trade all depend on a healthy ocean.
For Africa, this moment presents an important opportunity.
The High Seas Treaty is not simply about conservation. It is also about ensuring that all countries can participate meaningfully in decisions regarding the global commons. Through provisions on capacity building, technology transfer, and scientific cooperation, the Treaty offers pathways for greater inclusion of developing countries in ocean governance. As implementation begins, African countries have an opportunity not only to participate but to help shape the future of the Treaty itself.
One message that repeatedly emerged throughout discussions in Mombasa was the importance of continued ratification.
While the Treaty has entered into force, its long-term success depends on broad global participation. Countries that join now will have the opportunity to contribute to decisions that will shape ocean governance for decades to come. More importantly, wider participation will strengthen the legitimacy, effectiveness, and equity of the Treaty.
Another theme that generated considerable excitement was the prospect of establishing the first Marine Protected Areas on the High Seas.
For the first time in history, the international community has a mechanism capable of creating a large network of protected areas in waters beyond national jurisdiction. Discussions focused not only on the institutional decisions that will need to be finalized at CoP1, but also on the need for countries to begin preparing now by identifying ecologically significant areas, strengthening scientific collaboration, and building momentum for ambitious protection measures.
As a youth ambassador, perhaps my biggest reflection from Mombasa was the growing recognition that young people have a crucial role to play in this next phase.
Youth engagement cannot end when negotiations conclude.
If anything, implementation creates an even greater need for youth leadership. Young people have the ability to connect global policy discussions with local communities, translate technical processes into accessible conversations, and maintain momentum between major political milestones. We are not only advocating for the future, we are helping shape decisions being made today.
The journey from Treaty adoption to Treaty implementation will require informed, engaged, and persistent youth voices.
As I left Mombasa, I felt hopeful.
Hopeful because the momentum behind ocean action is growing. Hopeful because countries are beginning to prepare for CoP1. Hopeful because conversations are already turning toward the creation of the first High Seas Marine Protected Areas.
But I also left with a sense of urgency.
The ocean has waited long enough.
The coming months will determine whether governments arrive at CoP1 ready to turn ambition into action. They will determine whether more countries choose to join the Treaty and help shape its future. They will determine how quickly we can move from promises to protection.
As John Kerry reminded us during the conference, “the ocean has been humanity’s silent ally for generations. The time has now come for humanity to become the ocean’s ally.“
Standing in Mombasa, it felt as though the world was beginning to answer that call.
Because protecting the ocean is ultimately about protecting ourselves, our communities, and the generations that follow us because it is our ocean, our heritage, our future.
Okello Allan Mugisha is a youth climate advocate and emerging leader from Mbarara, Uganda, committed to advancing environmental sustainability and inclusive climate action. His work centers on the intersections between climate change, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing, with a growing focus on the critical role oceans play in regulating the global climate and sustaining life on Earth.
Coming from a landlocked country that is nonetheless deeply affected by climate change, Okello brings a unique perspective to ocean advocacy, highlighting how rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation transcend borders and impact communities worldwide. He is particularly interested in global governance frameworks that promote equitable conservation, including international efforts to protect marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
Okello is driven by the belief that youth engagement is essential to addressing planetary challenges. Through research, advocacy, and public dialogue, he works to amplify youth voices in climate and environmental policy spaces. He is motivated to contribute to global efforts such as the implementation of the High Seas Treaty by building awareness, mobilizing peers, and supporting collaborative solutions that safeguard ocean biodiversity and promote a sustainable future for all.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the High Seas Alliance or its member organizations unless clearly stated.