{"id":60933,"date":"2026-06-15T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=60933"},"modified":"2026-06-29T13:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T13:01:35","slug":"a-message-in-the-sand-greenpeace-africa-opens-global-oceans-conference-with-a-demand-african-governments-can-not-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/press\/60933\/a-message-in-the-sand-greenpeace-africa-opens-global-oceans-conference-with-a-demand-african-governments-can-not-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"A message in the sand: Greenpeace Africa opens Global Oceans Conference with a demand African governments can not ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>MOMBASA, KENYA &#8211; Greenpeace Africa today unveiled a large-scale sand art installation at \u201cPirates\u201d Beach, sending a clear and urgent message to African governments gathering for the United Nations Ocean Conference (June 16\u201318): protect Africa\u2019s oceans and the millions of people who depend on them.<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DZm-Ir3PwaN\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DZm-Ir3PwaN\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DZm-Ir3PwaN\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Greenpeace Africa (@greenpeaceafrica)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n<p>The installation, created by Greenpeace Africa staff, volunteers and local community members on the shoreline and visible from the air, captures the growing demand for ocean justice across the continent at a moment when governments face critical decisions on the future of ocean protection.<\/p>\n\n<p>Speaking at the beach activation,<strong>Norwich Mandu, Greenpeace Africa volunteer, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>\u201cThis artwork represents what coastal communities are feeling every day. Fish are becoming scarce, livelihoods are under pressure, and yet the solutions are within reach. We are here to remind our leaders that protecting the ocean means protecting people, especially local fishers who depend on these waters to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p>The artwork reads &nbsp; \u201cTHE OCEAN CONNECTS US ALL \u201c as African waters face mounting threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, plastic pollution, and climate change, all of which are undermining the livelihoods of coastal communities and the health of marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n<p>Greenpeace Africa is using the opening of the Ocean Conference to call on African governments to take leadership in advancing the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), a landmark global treaty that enables the creation of Marine Protected Areas on the high seas.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Dr. Aliou Ba, Oceans Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa<\/strong>, said:<br>\u201cThe BBNJ Agreement gives African governments a historic opportunity to protect the high seas and safeguard the future of our fisheries. At the same time, we must confront the ongoing crisis of IUU fishing, which is stripping African waters of life and robbing communities of food and income. Governments cannot afford to delay. The time to act is now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p>In addition to industrial fishing pressures, plastic pollution continues to choke Africa\u2019s coastlines and marine ecosystems, further compounding the ocean crisis.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Hellen Dena, Plastics Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa<\/strong>, said:<br>\u201cYou cannot talk about protecting the ocean without addressing plastic pollution. From beaches to deep-sea ecosystems, plastic waste is everywhere. African governments must push for strong global and regional action that tackles pollution at its source while protecting marine biodiversity through frameworks like the BBNJ Agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p>The sand art action marks the beginning of Greenpeace Africa\u2019s engagement at the Ocean Conference, where the organisation will be advocating for concrete political commitments from African governments.<\/p>\n\n<p>Throughout the conference, Greenpeace Africa will be pushing for:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strong political support from African governments for a High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Canary-Guinea Convergence Zone under the BBNJ Agreement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accelerated ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decisive action to end IUU fishing and harmful industrial fishing practices in African waters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrated ocean protection approaches that address both biodiversity loss and pollution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meaningful inclusion of coastal communities in ocean governance decisions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>As world leaders convene in Mombasa, Greenpeace Africa says the message written in the sand today must be carried into every negotiation: Africa\u2019s oceans must be protected, and the time to act is now.<\/p>\n\n<p>ENDS<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-beige-100-background-color has-background\"><strong>Contact:<\/strong><br><br><strong>Ferdinand Omondi<\/strong>, Communications Lead, East and Southern Africa, Greenpeace Africa, +254 722 505 233 \/ <a href=\"mailto:fomondi@greenpeace.org\">fomondi@greenpeace.org<\/a><br><br><strong>Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: <\/strong><a href=\"mailto:pressdesk.africa@greenpeace.org\">pressdesk.africa@greenpeace.org<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Notes to Editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drone images and videos can be retrieved <a href=\"https:\/\/media.greenpeace.org\/collection\/27MZIFJHLYMA0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The United Nations Ocean Conference takes place in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16\u201318, 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The BBNJ Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted in 2023 to govern and protect biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the high seas).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An estimated 600 million Africans depend on ocean resources for food security and livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IUU fishing costs West Africa billions of dollars annually and is a major driver of fish stock depletion in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"has-green-400-background-color has-background\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:var(--white)\" class=\"has-inline-color\">About Greenpeace Africa:<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>Greenpeace Africa is an independent campaigning organisation working to expose environmental injustice and drive solutions that protect people, ecosystems, and the climate across the African continent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Greenpeace Africa today unveiled a large-scale sand art installation at \u201cPirates\u201d Beach, sending a clear and urgent message to African governments gathering for the United Nations Ocean Conference (June 16\u201318): protect Africa\u2019s oceans and the millions of people who depend on them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":60941,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"not 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