1 December – 5 December 2026

The programme

Five days on Kenya’s coast: courtesy visits, a dinner of leaders and partners, the signing of the Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration, a beach clean-up and mangrove planting. The exhibition is open on all three public days.

Download the programme (PDF)Add every session to my calendar

5 days · 3 venues · 2 counties · 70,000 mangroves planned

Blue Carbon Action 2026Commit. Activate. Restore.

-42.12391457044days0hours0min

3Thursday Commit Vipingo Ridge Ticketed dinner
4Friday Activate Early Birds Banda Complimentary
5Saturday Restore Kwetu Training Centre Complimentary

The highlight of the programme

The Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration

The highlight of the programme. Embassies, governments, the United Nations system, development partners, business and civil society sign the Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration, each stating its own commitment to coastal restoration over the next three years. Signing is by representative, in alphabetical order of country or institution, before the Guests of Honour. Each signatory receives a signed copy, is recorded on the Commitment Wall and in the Impact Report, and is honoured with a named grove at the mangrove planting on Saturday.

Thursday 3 December, 20:45 Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County

See it in the programme

Day 33December 2026Thursday

Commit

Civil Society, Business and Community Dinner, Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration and NGO Summit Impact Awards

The public programme opens on Thursday 3 December. Delegates begin the day with visits to partner enterprises, then meet at Vipingo Ridge, where the exhibition is open throughout, for the Blue Economy Leaders’ Dialogue and the Guest Governors’ Session. In the evening the leaders of government, diplomacy, the United Nations system, development finance, business and civil society gather for the dinner, which brings together the signing of the Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration, the highlight of Blue Carbon Action 2026, and the NGO Summit Impact Awards. The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya has been invited to the dinner.

Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi CountyOpen the map

07:0008:00 Sharp

Arrival and breakfast
Breakfast and assembly of delegates

Delegates assemble for breakfast at the hotel and are briefed on the day. Timing is critical: transport leaves at 08:00 sharp.

Delegates’ hotel Open to: Delegates
08:0012:30 Sharp

Visit
Delegates’ visits to partner enterprises

Guided visits to partner enterprises that show how the blue economy, enterprise and coastal restoration work together.

Visits arranged from the delegates’ hotel Open to: Delegates
12:3014:00

Meal
Lunch at the hotel

Lunch and a pause before the afternoon.

Delegates’ hotel Open to: Delegates
14:0014:30

Transport
Transfer to Vipingo Ridge

Delegates are transported to the venue.

Hotel to Vipingo Ridge Open to: Delegates
14:3015:30
Exhibition
Opening of the exhibition and guided walk

A guided walk through the exhibition: the sector pavilions, the Embassy pavilions, Finance the Coast and Clean the Coast. Delegates meet exhibitors and partners.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Delegates and exhibitors
- Embassy pavilions
- Sector pavilions
- Finance the Coast
- Clean the Coast
14:3022:30
Exhibition
Exhibition open

The exhibition is open throughout the afternoon and evening, before and after the dinner: the sector pavilions, the Embassy pavilions, Finance the Coast and Clean the Coast.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Delegates and dinner guests
- Embassy pavilions
- Sector pavilions
- Finance the Coast
- Clean the Coast
15:3016:30
Session
Blue Economy Leaders’ Dialogue

A moderated dialogue on financing coastal restoration, the integrity of blue carbon and community ownership of restoration. It sets the context for the Declaration that is signed in the evening.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Delegates and invited guests
- Moderator
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Development partners and the United Nations system
- Private sector
- Civil society
- County government
16:3017:15
Session
Guest Governors’ Session

The county governors who join us as guests, with the host county, discuss devolved leadership and the coastal blue economy: how counties protect mangroves and seagrass, create livelihoods on the coast and work with partners, government and the diplomatic corps.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Delegates and invited guests
- Moderator
- The Governor of Kilifi County (host)
- Guest Governors of the coastal counties (to be confirmed)
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
- Partners
17:1517:45
Session
Briefing for signatories

A closed briefing with the Chief of Protocol on the order of signing, the text of the Declaration and the official photograph. Embassies and institutions may send their representative.

Vipingo Ridge (closed session) Open to: Signatories only
- Chief of Protocol
- Signing embassies and institutions
17:4518:45
Arrival and breakfast
Arrival of guests and reception

Accreditation, media registration and reception. Ambassadors, Guests of Honour and delegations are received by the Chief of Protocol and the reception committee. Official photographs are taken at the reception line.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests and invited guests
- Chief of Protocol
- Reception committee
- The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya (invited)
18:45 Sharp

Session
Guests seated by protocol

All guests are requested to be seated by 18:45. Seating follows the protocol plan; the Guests of Honour and, if attending, the Head of State are received last.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
19:0019:10 Sharp
Ceremony
Opening ceremony

The Master of Ceremonies opens the evening, followed by the anthems and an invocation.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
- Master of Ceremonies
- The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya (invited)
19:1019:20
Speeches and remarks
Welcome by the host county

The host county welcomes the guests to the coast.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
- The Governor of Kilifi County (host)
19:2020:00
Speeches and remarks
Statements

Statements follow in ascending order of seniority, ending with the Guest of Honour.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
- Chairman, Twende Green Planet
- Civil society
- Private sector
- Development partners and the United Nations system
- The representative of the diplomatic corps
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs: Hon. Hassan Joho (invited)
- Guest of Honour (to be confirmed)
- The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya (invited)
20:0020:45

Meal
Dinner

The dinner is served. The exhibition remains open before and after the dinner.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
20:4521:30
The highlight of the programme Partnership Declaration
The Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration

The highlight of the programme. Embassies, governments, the United Nations system, development partners, business and civil society sign the Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration, each stating its own commitment to coastal restoration over the next three years. Signing is by representative, in alphabetical order of country or institution, before the Guests of Honour. Each signatory receives a signed copy, is recorded on the Commitment Wall and in the Impact Report, and is honoured with a named grove at the mangrove planting on Saturday.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests and signatories
- Signing embassies and institutions
- Guests of Honour
- The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya (invited)
- The diplomatic corps
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs
21:3021:40
Ceremony
Official photograph

The signatories and Guests of Honour join the official photograph.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Signatories and Guests of Honour
- Signatories
- Guests of Honour
- The Head of State of the Republic of Kenya (invited)
21:4022:10
Key moment Awards
NGO Summit Impact Awards

The NGO Summit Impact Awards honour the people and organisations restoring Africa’s coast. Awards are presented by the Guests of Honour.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests
- Award presenters
- Award winners
22:1022:30

Close
Vote of thanks and close

The vote of thanks closes the evening. Guests depart in protocol order.

Vipingo Ridge Open to: Dinner guests

Day 44December 2026Friday

Activate

Beach clean-up, weigh-in and exhibition

On Friday 4 December volunteers, rangers, communities and partners clean the shoreline at Nyali. The morning closes with the ceremonial final stretch of the clean-up, the weigh-in and statements from the diplomatic corps, followed by a walk through the exhibition. The afternoon is open to registered guests for finance, community and youth sessions and a partners’ reception.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Beach, MombasaOpen the map

07:0007:30 Sharp

Arrival and breakfast
Teams assemble and briefing

Volunteers, rangers, community groups and partners assemble and receive a safety and sorting briefing. Timing is critical: the clean-up begins on time.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Volunteers and partners
07:3010:00
Activity
Beach clean-up

The zero-waste beach clean-up of the shoreline. Waste is collected, sorted at recording stations and prepared for weighing.

Nyali Beach Open to: Volunteers and partners (registration is free)
- Volunteers and community groups
- Rangers
- Partner organisations
09:4510:00 Sharp
Arrival and breakfast
Arrival of the diplomatic corps

Ambassadors and Guests of Honour are received by the host reception committee.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Invited guests
- Chief of Protocol
- Reception committee
10:0011:00
Key moment Ceremony
Final clean-up ceremony and weigh-in

In the final hour the ambassadors join the teams for the ceremonial close of the clean-up, give their final remarks and witness the weighing of the waste collected. The total is announced to the guests.

Nyali Beach Open to: Registered guests (registration is free)
- The diplomatic corps
- County government
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Team leaders
11:0011:20
Speeches and remarks
Statements

Statements by the host county and the diplomatic corps close the ceremony.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Dinner guests
- The Governor of Mombasa County (host)
- The representative of the diplomatic corps
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
11:2012:15
Exhibition
Exhibition walk-through

A guided walk through the exhibition, the sector pavilions and the Embassy pavilions, led by the host and the exhibitors.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Registered guests
- Embassy pavilions
- Sector pavilions
- Finance the Coast
- Clean the Coast
11:2017:30
Exhibition
Exhibition open

The exhibition stays open to registered guests until 17:30: the sector pavilions, the Embassy pavilions, Finance the Coast and Clean the Coast.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Registered guests
- Embassy pavilions
- Sector pavilions
- Finance the Coast
- Clean the Coast
12:15

Close
Departure of the diplomatic corps

Ambassadors and Guests of Honour depart with the thanks of the organisers.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Invited guests
12:1512:45
Session
Media briefing

The organisers brief the media on the results of the clean-up and the programme ahead.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Media
- Organisers
- Media
12:4514:00

Meal
Lunch and networking

Lunch and an opportunity to meet exhibitors, partners and the clean-up teams.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Registered guests
14:0015:30
Session
Finance the Coast

A session in the Finance the Coast pavilion on finance for coastal and restoration work, with banks, insurers and regulators.

Finance the Coast pavilion Open to: Registered guests
- Banks, insurers and regulators
- Development finance institutions
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
15:3016:30
Session
Community and youth voices

Young people and community leaders present what they are building on the coast: nurseries, clean-up enterprises and blue economy livelihoods.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Registered guests
- Community groups
- Youth organisations
- Coastal enterprises
16:3017:30

Meal
Partners’ reception

An informal reception for exhibitors, partners and registered guests.

Exhibition area Open to: Registered guests
17:30

Close
Exhibition closes

The exhibition closes for the day.

Early Birds Banda, Nyali Open to: Registered guests

Day 55December 2026Saturday

Restore

Community mangrove planting

The programme closes on Saturday 5 December with the mangrove planting at Kwetu Training Centre. The diplomatic corps and the signatories of the Declaration plant the first mangroves in groves named after their countries and institutions, and the mass planting follows until 13:00. The exhibition continues at the planting site.

Kwetu Training Centre for Sustainable Development, Mtwapa, Kilifi CountyOpen the map

07:0008:00 Sharp

Arrival and breakfast
Arrival and breakfast

Delegates and guests arrive from 07:00 for breakfast and registration. Timing is critical: the programme begins at 08:00 sharp.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Delegates and registered guests
07:3008:00
Activity
Planting induction and training

A short induction and training on how mangroves are planted at this site, given by the community nursery team.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests (registration is free)
- Community nursery team
08:00 Sharp
Ceremony
Arrival of the diplomatic corps. The programme opens

Ambassadors and Guests of Honour arrive at 08:00 and are received by the host reception committee. The programme opens at 08:00 sharp.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Invited guests
- Chief of Protocol
- Reception committee
08:1009:15
Speeches and remarks
Statements

Statements follow in ascending order of seniority, ending with the Guest of Honour.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Dinner guests
- The Governor of Kilifi County (host)
- Chairman, Twende Green Planet
- The nursery community
- Civil society and private sector
- Development partners and the United Nations system
- The representative of the diplomatic corps
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs
- Guest of Honour (to be confirmed)
09:1510:15
Key moment Ceremony
Ceremonial planting

Each ambassador plants two to three mangroves in a grove named after their country. Heads of institutions who signed the Declaration on Thursday plant in the groves named for their commitments.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests (registration is free)
- The diplomatic corps, in country groves
- Signing institutions, in declaration groves
10:1510:30

Close
Release of the diplomatic corps

Ambassadors and Guests of Honour are released with the thanks of the organisers.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Invited guests
10:3012:45
Planting
Mass mangrove planting

Communities, volunteers, partners and guests plant together. Seventy thousand seedlings are available; any that remain are planted through the rest of the quarter, to 31 March 2027.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests (registration is free)
- Communities
- Volunteers
- Partners and guests
08:0013:00
Exhibition
Exhibition at the planting site

The exhibition continues at Kwetu Training Centre, with the sector pavilions and the Embassy pavilions open to all guests alongside the planting.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests
- Embassy pavilions
- Sector pavilions
11:0012:00
Session
Monitoring demonstration

How planted blocks are GPS-tagged and how survival is monitored, so that every number can be checked. Open to all guests at the planting site.

Planting site Open to: Registered guests (registration is free)
- Monitoring team
- Community nursery team
12:4513:00
Speeches and remarks
Closing remarks and thanks

The organisers thank the communities, volunteers, partners and guests, and close the planting at 13:00.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests
- Chairman, Twende Green Planet
13:0014:00

Meal
Closing lunch and farewells

A closing lunch and farewells. Transport to the hotels is arranged.

Kwetu Training Centre Open to: Registered guests

Times are provisional and are confirmed to registrants by e-mail. The programme is subject to protocol and to the arrival of the Guests of Honour. Where a session shows “Sharp”, it starts at the time shown.

Join us on the coast

Days 4 and 5 are free to attend. Dinner seats, tables and participation levels are on the tickets page.

The programme

The Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration

By invitation

By invitation

Breakfast and assembly of delegates

Delegates’ visits to partner enterprises

Lunch at the hotel

Transfer to Vipingo Ridge

Opening of the exhibition and guided walk

Exhibition open

Blue Economy Leaders’ Dialogue

Guest Governors’ Session

Briefing for signatories

Arrival of guests and reception

Guests seated by protocol

Opening ceremony

Welcome by the host county

Statements

Dinner

The Blue Carbon Partnership Declaration

Official photograph

NGO Summit Impact Awards

Vote of thanks and close

Teams assemble and briefing

Beach clean-up

Arrival of the diplomatic corps

Final clean-up ceremony and weigh-in

Statements

Exhibition walk-through

Exhibition open

Departure of the diplomatic corps

Media briefing

Lunch and networking

Finance the Coast

Community and youth voices

Partners’ reception

Exhibition closes

Arrival and breakfast

Planting induction and training

Arrival of the diplomatic corps. The programme opens

Statements

Ceremonial planting

Release of the diplomatic corps

Mass mangrove planting

Exhibition at the planting site

Monitoring demonstration

Closing remarks and thanks

Closing lunch and farewells

Join us on the coast