Kenya becomes 42nd country to call for pause on Deep Seabed Mining

The announcement adds momentum to a growing coalition, with 42 countries already supporting a pause or moratorium, urging governments worldwide to protect the deep sea and pause Deep Seabed Mining activities.  

Speaking at the “Navigating the Future of the Deep Sea” session during the 11th Our Oceans Conference, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Mining, Harry Kimtai, underscored the urgency of acting cautiously in the face of limited scientific understanding.  

“The interest in Deep Seabed Mining is advancing faster than the architecture that guides it,” Kimtai said. “That is why Kenya is lending its voice to calls for a precautionary pause on Deep Seabed Mining until there is sufficient science to support evidence-based decisions. We are yet to get there. We support the precautionary pause.”  

Kimtai also called for strengthening knowledge gaps in science and research and urged a shift toward advancing circular economy pathways as a more sustainable alternative to Deep Seabed Mining. 

"We are privileged to have an ocean in Kenya. We are part of the families that have oceans. I would like to thank the Governments of Costa Rica, Germany Vanuatu, WWF. Kenya affirms its strong commitment to ocean conservation guided by sound science. It is fitting that we host this discussion here in Mombasa, a city whose culture and economy have been shaped by the ocean. This dialogue brings us together to help us strengthen and close knowledge gaps in science and research to ensure decisions rest on sound science.”  

He further noted that while Kenya has made progress in geospatial mapping, it has not yet ventured into offshore seabed exploration, reinforcing the country’s position that decisions must be grounded in robust scientific evidence.  

Kenya’s announcement strengthens global advocacy efforts aimed at building pressure on governments to act decisively, emphasizing that the risks to marine biodiversity and ocean health remain too great to ignore at this stage.   

Speaking during the side event held in Mombasa, Jackson Kiplagat, CEO, WWF-Kenya, welcomed the National Government’s bold decision to adopt a precautionary pause on Deep Seabed Mining: “The Government has demonstrated leadership by putting science first and strengthening multilateral cooperation through joining the growing coalition of nations committed to ensuring that the protection of the marine environment remains at the heart of all decisions concerning the deep sea.” — Jackson Kiplagat, CEO, WWF-Kenya. 

Welcoming Kenya’s decision as a pivotal moment in global ocean governance, Jessica Battle, Lead, No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative (Governance), WWF, said: 

“The Government of Kenya’s decision to join the now 42 states calling for a precautionary pause or moratorium on Deep Seabed Mining signals that this is no longer a concern for a handful of countries, but a defining global discussion about the future of our ocean. Rather than exploiting vulnerable ecosystems, investments should be directed toward advancing a circular economy. WWF commends Kenya for standing alongside Malawi in prioritizing science and the precautionary principle for the benefit of current and future generations.”