LINI participated in the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) held in Mombasa, Kenya, represented by LINI’s Executive Director, Eveline Kurniati. The international conference brought together governments, NGOs, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders from around the world to make measurable commitments toward protecting the ocean.
Since its inception, the Our Ocean Conference has mobilized more than USD 160 billion in global commitments to safeguard marine ecosystems. At the 2026 conference, more than 140 countries and organizations announced approximately 320 new commitments, representing an additional USD 6.4 billion in investments to support ocean conservation initiatives.
For LINI, participating in this global forum was an invaluable opportunity to share experiences while learning from conservation initiatives around the world. One of the most inspiring messages from OOC 2026 was the recognition that effective marine protection can only be achieved when Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and small-scale fishers are empowered to lead efforts toward achieving global ocean conservation targets.
This message strongly aligns with the approach that has guided LINI’s work for many years. Through its grassroots conservation model, LINI believes that lasting conservation outcomes can only be achieved when coastal communities become the primary stewards of their own marine ecosystems.
In the spirit of the conference’s action-driven approach, LINI officially announced a USD 20,000 pledge to strengthen and expand community-based coral reef restoration initiatives in Indonesia.
“Since 2019, LINI has worked side by side with coastal communities. Together, we have deployed more than 15,000 artificial reef structures and successfully restored over seven hectares of coral reef ecosystems across Bali and Sulawesi. This pledge represents our continued commitment to ensuring that coastal communities remain at the forefront of protecting and restoring coral reefs,” said Eveline Kurniati, Executive Director of LINI.
Through this commitment, LINI will strengthen the capacity of community groups actively engaged in coral reef restoration by supporting the long-term maintenance and stewardship of community-managed restoration sites. LINI will also invest in training and mentoring the next generation of coastal community members, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to continue conservation efforts into the future. As part of its contribution to the global conservation movement, LINI will openly share data, lessons learned, and best practices from its restoration programs, enabling Indonesia’s experiences to inform and inspire coral reef conservation efforts worldwide.
LINI’s participation in the Our Ocean Conference 2026 demonstrates that locally driven initiatives can become an essential part of global solutions. When community-led action is combined with international commitment, the opportunity to create lasting impacts for both marine ecosystems and coastal communities becomes even greater.
For LINI, conservation extends far beyond ecosystem restoration. It is about empowering people, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that every local action contributes to a healthier and more resilient ocean for future generations.
Acknowledgement: LINI’s participation in OOC 11 is part of the 2026 SEA Coastal Leaders and delivered by MarketEdge, as an initiative of the COAST Facility, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by DAI.
By Retno Kusuma Ningrum
