Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has been formally designated as the host nation for the 12th Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP12).
The high-level gathering is scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam from October 6 to 9, 2026.
This conference underscores the nation’s growing influence in regional maritime governance and its commitment to the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems across the Western Indian Ocean.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary (Environment) in the Vice President’s Office, Amb Baraka Luvanda, officially inaugurated the National Preparatory Committee in Dodoma on April 20, 2026.
During his opening remarks, Amb Luvanda emphasised that the Vice President’s Office bears the primary responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Nairobi Convention.
To ensure the summit meets the highest international standards, a multi-sectoral committee comprising representatives from various ministries, government departments, and agencies has been established to oversee logistics and strategic planning.
The Nairobi Convention serves as a critical legal framework for the protection, management, and development of the marine and coastal environment in the Western Indian Ocean region.
Every two years, the Secretariat organises a Conference of Parties to review progress and address emerging challenges regarding the convention’s protocols.
Tanzania’s selection as the incoming chair and host for COP12 was finalised during the 11th Conference held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in August 2024.
In addition to its hosting duties for COP12, Tanzania has been invited to participate in the 11th Our Ocean Conference, which is set to convene in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16 to 18, 2026.
Operating under the theme Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future, this event marks the first time the global conference will be held on the African continent, highlighting a significant shift in international focus toward African maritime interests.
The Director of the Blue Economy Development and Coordination Unit within the Vice President’s Office, Ms Magdalena Ngotolainyo, confirmed that COP12 is expected to attract over 500 delegates.
This international assembly will include heads of state, environmental experts, and diverse stakeholders from member nations.
Ms Ngotolainyo noted that active participation in these forums is expected to unlock substantial economic opportunities, specifically by attracting investment into the blue economy, bolstering the fisheries and tourism sectors, and initiating regional conservation projects.
Beyond the immediate economic benefits, the hosting of such a summit provides a vital platform for knowledge exchange and the acquisition of new technologies.
These advancements are expected to inform the refinement of national policies and strategic programmes regarding marine resource management.
A tutor at the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute, Gregory Mella, further observed that the objectives of COP12 align with the protection of marine sources to ensure sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, including seaweed farming and artisanal fishing.
With a coastline stretching over 1,400 kilometres, the strategic management of these resources remains a cornerstone of Tanzania’s environmental and social welfare.
