annual world oceans reception

Each year, Friends of the Ocean hosts its Annual World Oceans Reception — one of our flagship parliamentary events, and the most distinctive cross-party, cross-sector gathering of its kind.

Our inaugural World Oceans Reception, held in June 2026 at Speaker’s House, House of Commons, brought together over 120 leaders from across the conservation, business, and political worlds to champion the importance of our oceans and coastal communities.

We were proud to welcome Members of Parliament and Peers from the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK — a powerful demonstration of the cross-party commitment that ocean and coastal issues deserve, and of Friends of the Ocean's unique ability to convene across political divides.

The evening also brought together more than 20 world-leading ocean conservation organisations, reflecting our commitment to connecting NGO expertise and priorities directly with the policymakers who can turn it into lasting change. Alongside them, we were joined by pioneering sustainable businesses — including Cano Water, who are leading the way in providing a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic for on-the-go water.

The evening featured remarks from Mr Speaker The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Madam Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani MP, and Anna Gelderd MP — each speaking powerfully about the importance of ensuring Parliament champions the voices of coastal communities and the oceans they rely on, and the need to work across party lines to do so.

Below are a selection of photos from our 2026 World Oceans Reception at Speaker's House, House of Commons