11th Our Ocean Conference Side-event - Combating Nutrient Pollution: from Sewage Diplomacy to Alternative Shipping Fuels

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Meeting Background

On 16th June 2026, the side-event 'Combating Nutrient Pollution: from Sewage Diplomacy to Alternative Shipping Fuels' was held at Mombasa Continental Resort, as part of the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC-11) in Mombasa, Kenya.

This event brought together representatives from government, international organizations, academia, civil society and the maritime sector to explore practical solutions to nutrient pollution and emerging environmental considerations associated with alternative shipping fuels.

The programme connected two important conversations:

  • Sewage Diplomacy: From Pollution to Partnership - Explored how international cooperation, innovation and circular economy approaches can help address wastewater pollution and strengthen ocean resilience. (Session briefing note)
  • Climate and Nitrogen Implications of Alternative Fuel Pathways for Maritime Shipping - Examined opportunities and environmental considerations associated with the transition to alternative fuels, including ammonia, as the shipping sector advances decarbonization efforts. (Session briefing note)

Our thanks to the event co-organizers including: Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM), Global Wastewater Initiative (GWWI), International Nitrogen Management System (INMS), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program: Maldives Project (CHO Maldives), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Professional African Technical Network Advisory (PATNA) Initiative, One Planet Port (OPP), International Nitrogen Network (iN-Net) and the Global Nitrogen Innovation Center (GNIC).

Speakers at the event included County Minister of Mombasa for Environment and Water, Ms Kibibi Abdullah, Ms. Heide Savelli, Chief of the Source to Sea Pollution Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), H.E. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya, H.E. Verónica García Gutiérrez, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Kenya, Ms. Jos Hill, Wastewater Program Director, The Nature Conservancy, Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, Advisor and Ambassador for Blue Economy, Kenya, Marie Hubatova, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Lucy Gilliam, One Port Planet (OPP) and Dola Oluteye, University College London and the Professional African Technical Network Advisory (PATNA) Initiative.

The event was moderated by Amran Abdi, Sustainability and international development professional, Founder of Reviva Innovations and John Wesonga, Strategic Communications for African and Global Markets.

Many thanks to all speakers and participants for joining us for these critical conversations.

Meeting Outputs

You can find the meeting recordings, along with the agenda and session briefing notes below:

Meeting Recording Part 1 of 2 - Sewage Diplomacy: From Pollution to Partnership

Meeting Recording Part 2 of 2 - Climate and Nitrogen Implications of Alternative Fuel Pathways for Maritime Shipping

 

INMS Event Date: 

Tuesday, 16 June, 2026