Kilifi, Kenya – 26 July 2025
In a significant stride for coastal resilience and ecosystem protection, five major conservation organisations have officially launched the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) – Kenya Chapter through the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kilifi.

The move unites the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Conservation International (CI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wetlands International Eastern Africa, and WWF-Kenya under one national platform aimed at fast-tracking mangrove conservation and restoration across Kenya.

Held on the sidelines of the National Mangrove Dialogue 2025, the signing signals a new era of collaboration designed to advance Kenya’s national mangrove targets while aligning with global ambitions, including the Mangrove Breakthrough— a worldwide drive to halt mangrove loss, restore 50% of restorable ecosystems, and double their protection by 2030.

“This MoU reaffirms IUCN’s commitment to collaborative action for nature and people,” said Luther Anukur Bois, Regional Director for IUCN-ESARO. “Mangrove conservation is a powerful Nature-based Solution… Joint thinking and co-execution are not optional, they are imperative.”

A Platform for Collective Impact

The Kenya Chapter of GMA brings together technical experts, non-state actors, and civil society partners, providing a space for shared learning, aligned implementation, and unified policy engagement. The five-year strategy guiding the chapter is anchored in five thematic areas: capacity building, science and monitoring, chapter development, innovative finance, and communications.

Together, the partners are set to roll out a coordinated agenda to:

• Align project portfolios for maximum synergy
• Enhance data and skills exchange
• Facilitate joint advocacy and public engagement
• Build strong community governance frameworks
• Mobilise resources for long-term impact

“This MoU lays the foundation for impactful, long-term solutions that protect nature and support coastal communities,” stated Mohamed Awer, CEO of WWF-Kenya.

“The establishment of the GMA–Kenya Chapter marks a major step toward coordinated mangrove conservation and restoration across the country,” added Dr. Ruth Masha, Kenya Country Program Director, TNC. “This alliance supports the implementation of the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan and contributes directly to TNC’s 2030 Goals.”

Backing Science, Communities, and Policy

With around 61,000 hectares of mangrove forests lining Kenya’s coast, these ecosystems are essential for carbon storage, biodiversity, and protecting coastal livelihoods. Yet they face mounting threats from deforestation, pollution, and poorly coordinated development.

The chapter aims to close these gaps by fostering local ownership and integrating science into action.

“Through this alliance, we reaffirm our dedication to driving scalable, science-informed mangrove conservation initiatives,” said Dr. Julie Mulonga, Regional Director, Wetlands International Eastern Africa. “From ecological restoration to policy advocacy, collaboration has already proven powerful — this takes it to the next level.”

“At Conservation International, we believe science and policy must work together to deliver climate action,”noted Dr. Seif Hamisi, East Africa Managing Director. “This partnership unlocks sustainable finance and community-led solutions that help mangroves thrive for people, biodiversity, and climate.”

As climate pressures intensify and the call for nature-based solutions grows louder, this joint commitment offers a promising path toward durable conservation outcomes, not just for Kenya, but for the entire Western Indian Ocean region.