Namibia has announced a stronger commitment to protecting its marine resources and biodiversity, with a goal of increasing the share of protected marine ecosystems from the current 1.7% to at least 11% by 2030.

The announcement was made by Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Inge Zaamwani during a Commonwealth countries roundtable discussion held at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.According to Zaamwani, Namibia has already identified seven key marine biodiversity areas that require enhanced conservation measures.

The country is working to strengthen ocean governance and management practices to ensure that environmental protection efforts are balanced with economic activities such as fishing, shipping, tourism, and other ocean-based industries.

The minister emphasized that sustainable use of marine resources is essential for long-term economic development while preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.She also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in achieving global ocean conservation goals.

Zaamwani noted that African countries will require increased financial support, technological assistance, and knowledge transfer from international partners to meet ambitious marine protection targets.

The announcement reflects Namibia’s broader efforts to align with international conservation initiatives and strengthen the resilience of its marine environment.

The statement was delivered as part of discussions at the Our Ocean Conference, a global forum focused on advancing commitments to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management.