Here’s HelloMonaco’s dynamic overview of the Blue Economy & Finance Forum held June 7–8 in Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, the pivotal prelude to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference taking place now in Nice.
Hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the forum welcomed Prince William of Wales, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, underscoring the event’s legitimacy and high-level reach.
A Sharp, Solutions-Driven Agenda
1. Chair Pascal Lamy and UN’s Ilana Sed framed the forum as the launchpad to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
2. President Macron emphasized that ocean degradation is scientifically proven—demanding both political and financial action. France announced reinforced protection measures for its maritime zones .
3. Prince Albert II noted that viable blue-economy models already exist—from biotech to fisheries—and urged readiness for widespread implementation. Prince William highlighted Earthshot Prize-backed projects: coral restoration (e.g., Coral Vita, Pristine Seas) and algae-based omega‑3, noting the need for scaling and investment .4. Model Nations:
• Costa Rica: A case in point—having already achieved 30 % marine protection, well in advance of the 2030 goal.
• Brazil: President Lula stressed the ocean’s $2.6 trillion annual economic worth, calling for equitable funding across nations.
2. President Macron emphasized that ocean degradation is scientifically proven—demanding both political and financial action. France announced reinforced protection measures for its maritime zones .
3. Prince Albert II noted that viable blue-economy models already exist—from biotech to fisheries—and urged readiness for widespread implementation. Prince William highlighted Earthshot Prize-backed projects: coral restoration (e.g., Coral Vita, Pristine Seas) and algae-based omega‑3, noting the need for scaling and investment .4. Model Nations:
• Costa Rica: A case in point—having already achieved 30 % marine protection, well in advance of the 2030 goal.
• Brazil: President Lula stressed the ocean’s $2.6 trillion annual economic worth, calling for equitable funding across nations.
Joint Declaration by Prince Albert and President Macron
On the occasion of World Ocean Day, and ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to be held in Nice, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a historic joint declaration reaffirming their countries’ shared and unwavering commitment to ocean protection. Adopted in Monaco on June 8, 2025, the Franco-Monegasque Declaration on the Ocean emphasizes the strategic role of the ocean in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. France and Monaco pledged to advance marine science, support ambitious international agreements including the BBNJ treaty, promote a precautionary approach to deep-sea mining, and champion sustainable blue finance and maritime decarbonization. The declaration calls for urgent, collective international action to address threats such as plastic pollution, illegal fishing, and climate-driven ocean changes—placing the Ocean at the heart of global environmental and development agendas.
Prince William’s Speech: Urgency Meets Optimism
Delivered in French and English on World Oceans Day (June 8), his keynote reinforced global stakes. He reminded that oceans cover 70 % of the planet, generate half its oxygen, support 3 billion people—but only 3 % are protected versus the 30 % target.
Prince William delivered a personal, emotional appeal: “We all stand to be impacted…But the clock is ticking,” moving from anger and sadness to optimism after witnessing Sir David Attenborough’s new film Ocean.
Aligning with his Earthshot initiative, he urged swift scaling of ocean-restoration projects and investment in innovation.
Key Outcomes & Commitments
• Concrete collaboration: A clear push toward public–private partnerships to advance sustainable marine initiatives.
• Scientific financing commitment: President Macron affirmed new funding and research backing for ocean science.
• Blueprint spotlight: Forum discussions centred on deep-sea mining regulations, bottom-trawling bans, and marine biotech investment—ushering in the forum as a launch point for policy decisions at the Nice conference.
• Shared momentum: Prince Albert II noted that “positive momentum does occur”—and with Monaco’s platform, key building blocks are now aligned.The global financial momentum underway includes the BEFF highlighting over $25 billion in already identified investments in concrete ocean transition projects across diverse sectors. New financial commitments announced include an additional €8.7 billion by 2030.
• Scientific financing commitment: President Macron affirmed new funding and research backing for ocean science.
• Blueprint spotlight: Forum discussions centred on deep-sea mining regulations, bottom-trawling bans, and marine biotech investment—ushering in the forum as a launch point for policy decisions at the Nice conference.
• Shared momentum: Prince Albert II noted that “positive momentum does occur”—and with Monaco’s platform, key building blocks are now aligned.The global financial momentum underway includes the BEFF highlighting over $25 billion in already identified investments in concrete ocean transition projects across diverse sectors. New financial commitments announced include an additional €8.7 billion by 2030.
Bridging to the UN in Nice: What Came Next
Leaders left Monaco to advance these discussions at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice (June 9–13). The forum laid groundwork for:
• 30 × 30 target: Mobilizing funds and political will to protect 30 % of oceans and land by 2030.
• Common standards on deep-sea mining, sustainable fisheries, and blue finance frameworks.
• An international funding push, especially for the Global South and Small Island nations.
• Common standards on deep-sea mining, sustainable fisheries, and blue finance frameworks.
• An international funding push, especially for the Global South and Small Island nations.
Monaco’s forum marked a powerful moment—a synergy of royalty, state leaders, environmental innovators, and finance experts—determined to turn ambition into action. Backed by Prince Albert, came Prince William’s moving plea, and global presidents, reinforced that this is a decisive moment. As delegates headed to Nice, hope for lasting global commitments is high.
Prince Albert Speaking at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice
Speaking at the opening of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, Prince Albert II warned that the ocean is “a treasure in peril” and called for urgent, science-based action.
Prince Albert emphasized that “all mineral exploitation of the deep seabed should take place within a regulatory framework based on reliable scientific data, under the auspices of the International Seabed Authority.”
He also reaffirmed Monaco’s support for the precautionary principle and the creation of an International Platform for Ocean Sustainability, echoing the themes of responsible ocean stewardship discussed days earlier at the Blue Economy & Finance Forum in Monaco.
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