Ocean and Climate Crisis: PACJA calls for stronger action
PACJA at the New York Climate Week to advance Africa Climate Justice
September 21, 2026
Twelfth Conference of the Parties COP 12 IS ONGOING IN Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 6-9 October. The conference also marks the 40th anniversary of the Nairobi Convention, bringing together Contracting Parties to review progress and chart the next phase of regional ocean governance.
Happening at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, the 12th conference focuses on the theme: “Towards Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Indian Ocean region for people and nature: A journey of Forty Years”.
While marking the milestone of 40 years of the Nairobi Convention, civil society organisations held an event entitled “Ocean and Climate Nexus: Building Shared African Civil Society Priorities in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region.”
The event brought together participants to examine the growing impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Reports indicate that the world’s glaciers had one of their five worst years on record in 2024/25, and BBC reports that sea ice at both poles was at or near record lows throughout most of 2025.
Speaking at the side event titled Ocean and Climate Nexus: Building a shared African Civil Society priorities in the SWIO region, Dr Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, warned that rising temperatures are placing increasing pressure on the marine environment across the region.
Opening the session, Dr Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, said that oceans are vital ecosystems that support livelihoods, food security and climate regulation. He warned that rising temperatures are placing increasing pressure on the marine environment across the region.
As the planet warms, oceans absorb more heat, contributing to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves. These changes threaten biodiversity, fisheries and the millions of people who depend on coastal and marine resources for their livelihoods.
In this address, Dr Mithika stressed that the ocean is not only a victim of climate change but also a critical part of the solution. He said that healthy marine ecosystems can help absorb carbon, protect coastal communities and strengthen resilience to climate-related disasters.