Introduction
The Blue Circular Economy focuses on sustainable and regenerative practices in marine and aquatic environments. It helps to alleviate critical challenges in the world’s oceans and coastal ecosystems. The challenges include overfishing, marine pollution and plastic waste, waste in the fishing and aquaculture industries, climate change and ocean acidification and loss of biodiversity. A Blue-Circular Economy Conference is a crucial platform for discussing possible remedies to the identified challenges. The conference provides an avenue of providing a way forward on how to promote sustainable ocean resources, drive innovation and investment through showcasing innovations, strengthen policy and governance and also support climate change mitigation.
1st International Blue-Circular Economy Conference is being organized by the University of Nairobi, Mombasa Campus on 21st October – 22nd October, 2025. The conference will attract participants, both local and international. The participants will include government (county and national) and policy makers, Financial Institutions and Investors, Industry Leaders and Businesses (Corporations in maritime transport, renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries, Port operators and logistics companies innovating in smart and sustainable practices, Startups and ventures in ocean tech, blue carbon, and waste management), Academics and Researchers, NGOs and Advocacy Groups, and Local Communities.
The conference activities include keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions of Blue-Circular Economy technologies, networking and partnership building, and providing Roadmap for future action. The output from the conference proceeding will be published in high-impact journals and also disseminated to policy makers inform of policy papers. The investors will benefit by identifying potential investment opportunities in Blue-Circular Economy. Coastal communities will be enlightened on how Blue-Circular Economy can improve their livelihoods while protecting marine biodiversity. The inclusion of international participants will encourage international collaboration as there will be sharing of knowledge for example on maritime security.
THEME: HARNESSING BLUE – CIRCULAR ECONOMY TOWARDS DYNAMIC GLOBAL LANDSCAPE
SUB-THEME 1: SUSTAINABLE OCEAN ECONOMY AND TRADE
This sub-theme welcomes paper submissions that focus on the need for an integrated approach to ensure that ocean economic activities are sustainable, equitable, and resilient in the long term.
Submissions are invited around the following areas:
- Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture: Exploring innovative approaches to ensure food security while conserving marine biodiversity.
- Marine Renewable Energy: Unlocking the potential of ocean-based energy sources for a sustainable future.
- Circular Economy in the Marine Sector: Addressing marine litter and pollution through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives.
- Sustainable Coastal Tourism: Promoting environmentally responsible tourism practices that benefit local communities and preserve coastal ecosystems.
- Blue Biotechnology: Harnessing marine biological resources for innovative products and processes.
SUB-THEME 2: BLUE FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
This sub-theme presents financial mechanisms and investments that support sustainable ocean and water-related projects. The papers should focus on opportunities which align financial flows with ocean sustainability.
Submissions are invited around the following areas:
- Financial mechanisms to support Blue-Circular Economy initiatives.
- Blue Carbon Markets: Monetizing coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses
- Risk Mitigation: Insurance for ocean projects
SUB-THEME 3: MARITIME SECURITY
This sub theme focuses on protection of a nation’s waters, ports, coastal areas, and maritime infrastructure from threats such as piracy, terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and other criminal activities. The papers in this sub theme should focus on ensuring freedom of navigation, and maintaining stability in international waters.
Submissions are invited around the following areas:
- Emerging Threats in Maritime Security (Piracy, maritime terrorism, and armed robbery at sea.
- Human trafficking, arms smuggling, and irregular migration via maritime routes.
- Cybersecurity threats to shipping and port infrastructure
- Technological Advancements in Maritime Security
- Smart port technologies and anti-terrorism measures.
SUB THEME 4: CROSS-CUTTING: HARNESSING INTERSECTIONALITY IN BLUE- CIRCULAR ECONOMY TOWARDS DYNAMIC GLOBAL LANDSCAPE
The interest on blue circular economy is on an upward trajectory in many economies. There is need to address emerging issues which can hamper the growth. The papers in this sub theme should focus on how to optimize the environmental, economic, and social benefits under blue-circular economy.
Submissions are invited around the following areas:
- Digital technologies: The Role of Technology and Innovation (e.g. Artificial intelligence, block chain etc.) in advancing the Blue-Circular Economy.
- Addressing Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities for Blue-Circular Economy Adoption.
- Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts of the Blue-Circular Economy on Communities.
- Measuring Resilience and Sustainability Outcomes of Blue-Circular Economy Initiatives.
- Ocean Governance and Policy: Developing effective frameworks for the sustainable management of marine resources.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Deliverable | Deadline |
| Abstract Submission | 1st August 2025 |
| Deadline for abstract submission | 31st August, 2025 |
| Notification of Acceptance | 10th September, 2025 |
| Full Paper Submission | 30th September,2025 |
| Deadline for registration (all participants) | 10th October, 2025 |
| Conference date | 21st -22nd October, 2025 |
GUIDELINES
1.Submissions in English, can be Emailed as doc or pdf to BCE-conference.msacampus@uonbi.ac.ke
2.Abstracts of full papers should not be more than 500 words.
- Abstracts should include 6 keywords
- Submissions should include the names of the author/s, affiliations and email of the corresponding author
5.The full paper should be 3000-8000 words (6-16 pages) prepared in Times New Roman, font size 12, spacing of 1.5 and as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).
6.All references cited in the papers should follow the APA 7th Edition Citation Style.
- Selected papers, with author approval, will be published in the conference proceedings
Conference Registration Fee
| Delegates categories | FEES (Ksh.) | FEES ($) |
| Students | Ksh. 1,000 | USD.10 |
| University of Nairobi Staff | Ksh. 1,000 | USD.10 |
| Delegates from Africa | Ksh. 3,000 | USD. 30 |
| Delegates outside Africa | Ksh. 5,000 | USD.50 |
VENUE:
BANDARI MARITIME COLLEGE, MOMBASA
CONFERENCE LEADERS:
Dr. Akunga Momanyi
Conference Convenor/Chair
University of Nairobi
amomanyi@uonbi.ac.ke
Mobile: +254 0722 992979
Dr. Zipporah Onsomu
Conference Coordinator
University of Nairobi
zonsomu@uonbi.ac.ke
Mobile: +254 720762183