Regional Government took part in 11th “Our Ocean” conference in Kenya - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Government attended the 11th “Our Ocean” conference, held between June 16 and 18 June in Mombasa, Kenya.

The Regional Director for Maritime Policies, Rui Martins, and the Coordinator of the Blue Azores Programme, Bernardo Brito e Abreu, were part of the national delegation. Their presence reflects the importance and leading role of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in the efforts undertaken within the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) to promote the protection and governance of oceans.

At the conference’s first plenary session, the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Salvador Malheiro, who led the national delegation, stated: “Earlier this year, Portugal achieved 19% coverage of marine protected areas due to the outstanding work carried out by the Autonomous Region of the Azores, which is responsible for classifying the largest marine park in the North Atlantic. This is not an announcement; it has already been done.”

“The creation of our network of marine protected areas, with its size and protection levels, positions the Azores as leaders in the protection and sustainable use of the ocean. What is being done in the Region, based on science, community participation and the co-creation of solutions, demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile conservation and sustainable development. It is an example for other regions of the world,” stated Rui Martins, who also heads the new Azores Marine Park.

During a plenary session, the Azores announced the completion of the RAMPA initiative, as declared in 2024 by the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, at the 9th edition of this conference held in Athens. The Region also reiterated its commitment to fully implementing and effectively managing its network of marine protected areas by 2028.

The international conference focused on six areas of action: Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Pollution, the Blue Economy, Climate Action and Maritime Safety.

Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” the conference brought together governments, intergovernmental organisations, universities, the private sector and non-governmental organisations that share a common vision to protect the oceans and are committed to making this a reality.

In addition to Regional Government members, the national delegation included representatives from the Oceano Azul Foundation and partners of the Blue Azores programme, which aims to protect, promote and enhance the natural capital of the Azores’ sea.

The event provided an opportunity for leaders and stakeholders to discuss and identify the challenges facing the oceans. Furthermore, it demonstrated leadership in conservation by undertaking political, scientific, financial, partnership and collaborative commitments that will set us on the path towards a sustainable future.