Our Ocean Conference: PAVE champions West African Youth integration in Blue Economy – EnviroNews

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The Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) made a significant splash at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, highlighting Africa’s crucial role in global marine governance. The landmark event took place for the first time on African soil in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16-18, 2026.

It brought together world leaders, ocean experts, and passionate grassroots advocates to create immediate, binding commitments for the health of our oceans. PAVE seized this opportunity to advocate for localised, youth-focused frameworks that can turn ocean conservation into sustainable economic security for West Africa.

One of the organisation’s standout moments occurred during the Scientific & Research Pre-Conference Symposium, which served as a high-level academic introduction to the main event. Ms. Victoria Ujunwa Aghaji, PAVE’s Senior Programmes Manager, captivated the audience with her presentation of the organisation’s strategic blueprint: the “PAVE proposal for the West Africa youth blue economy value-chain advocacy, awareness and local capacities development project.”

Aghaji’s talk tackled the long-standing issue of coastal youth being left out of profitable maritime governance and industrial opportunities. Speaking to a crowd of international oceanographers, policy makers, and development financiers, she outlined how this project aims to empower grassroots communities, enhance regional awareness, and promote active advocacy for the value chain across West African coastal areas.

“We can’t really talk about a sustainable blue economy in Africa if we continue to leave our youth out of the conversation around policy, technology, and economic opportunities,” Aghaji remarked during the symposium.

“The PAVE proposal is a timely and actionable masterplan. It empowers our young people with the local skills they need to take charge of marine conservation, lead sustainable fisheries, and seize new opportunities in the regional maritime value chain,” she added.

The initiative addresses pressing regional challenges like overfishing, marine plastic pollution, and the severe coastal erosion caused by climate change. By carefully mapping out the blue economy value chain, PAVE aims to transform vulnerable coastal youth from mere victims of environmental decline into certified ocean stewards and green entrepreneurs. The presentation ignited immediate discussions among international development partners eager to support scalable, grassroots solutions from Africa.

After this breakthrough at the pre-conference, the larger PAVE delegation, led by its President, Anthony Akpan, engaged in high-level diplomatic talks throughout the main conference. PAVE’s leadership advocated for specific policy changes, urging stricter enforcement of marine protected areas and the formal inclusion of youth-led civil society organisations in national maritime strategies.

PAVE sad its presence in Mombasa sets an important precedent for civil society leadership across the continent. By combining solid scientific research with passionate community advocacy, the organisation has established a clear vision for Africa’s environmental future.

As the global community reflects on the commitments made at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, PAVE’s blueprint emerges as a practical guide that translates international ocean policy into real, local benefits for the youth of West Africa.