28 May 2026
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is pleased to announce the six fellows who will attend and report from the Our Ocean Conference 2026, scheduled for June 16-18 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Selected journalists, supported through EJN’s Ocean Media Initiative, will attend the full duration of the conference and report on key ocean issues. This marks the first time the Our Ocean Conference is held in Africa.
The conference, themed ‘Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future’, will focus on six core themes: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Pollution, Sustainable Blue Economy, Climate Change, and Maritime Security. It will also highlight Kenya’s priorities, including elevating youth ocean leaders and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
This gathering builds on momentum from previous conferences, including the 2025 event in Busan, Republic of Korea, where countries and non-state actors made 277 new commitments totaling nearly $9.1 billion for ocean action.
Recent global advances, such as the High Seas Treaty and the 30×30 initiative, underscore the need for continued progress in protecting the ocean, which provides over half the world’s oxygen, supports livelihoods for more than three billion people, and serves as a primary protein source in many low-income countries.
We received more than 150 applications from around the world and, after a competitive selection process, are pleased to announce the following six fellows.
Nabil Ahmed Rufai, Ghana (GHone TV; Starr FM)
Belinda Cece Siago, Kenya (Daily Nation; Mesha Science; Kwale Press Club)
Eveline de Klerk, Namibia (New Era Newspaper)
Abdullahi Dare Akogun, Nigeria (The Punch Newspapers; DA News Online; SOBI 101.9 FM)
Ushar Prakash Kaur Daniele, Malaysia (South China Morning Post)
Jorge Mario Rodriguez Baeza, Guatemala (Ojo al Clima; Viatori; La Estrella de Panamá)
Prior to the conference, fellows will receive informational resources and technical support to prepare for reporting, including a pre-conference virtual workshop to meet their cohort and media trainers, discuss story ideas and address questions for pre-reporting work.
While in Mombasa, fellows will participate in a pre-OOC workshop featuring ocean experts and guest speakers, join daily briefings by EJN media trainers, get opportunities for interviews with high-level officials and join a field trip after the conference.
Fellows will have opportunities to dive into these topics with their cohort, exchange ideas for effective reporting, and receive editorial feedback and guidance on their stories.
“The Our Ocean Conference 2026 comes at a pivotal moment for ocean governance in Africa and globally. As the first Our Ocean Conference hosted on the African continent, it offers a unique platform to elevate African voices and priorities, from combating IUU fishing and expanding marine protected areas to building a truly sustainable blue economy.” said EJN’s Africa Regional Coordinator and trainer Gideon Sarpong, who will support the fellows’ reporting at the conference.
“Journalists have a crucial role to play in holding governments and stakeholders accountable, explaining complex ocean issues to the public and highlighting both challenges and inspiring solutions. Through EJN’s training and on-site support, we will equip these reporters with the tools and knowledge to produce impactful, high-quality stories that drive greater awareness and action long after Mombasa,” he said.
