Global Ocean Governance Initiatives Set for Monaco and Nice in June 2025
Blue Economy & Finance Forum and UN Ocean Conference aim to address ocean sustainability challenges.
In June 2025, significant initiatives focused on ocean governance and sustainability will take place in Monaco and Nice.
The Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF) is scheduled for June 7-8 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, followed by the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) from June 9-13 in Nice.
Co-organized by the government of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, alongside support from France and Costa Rica, the BEFF seeks to mobilize finance towards sustainable ocean initiatives.
The forum aims to attract approximately 1,500 economic stakeholders to establish connections between entrepreneurs and investors to advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Robert Calcagno, Director General of the Oceanographic Institute, outlined the financial requirements for achieving this goal, estimating an annual need of $175 billion, with only $25 billion currently mobilized.
This indicates a necessity to identify at least $150 billion in funding and highlights the challenge of persuading potential investors of the ocean's investment potential.
Efforts to enhance the blue economy will include sectors such as maritime transport, fisheries, ecosystem protection, and combating pollution, particularly plastic waste.
Following the BEFF, attention will shift to the UNOC in Nice, which may yield significant advancements, including a potential declaration aimed at establishing firm positions on environmental issues, particularly against illegal fishing and pollution.
The geopolitical climate and economic vulnerabilities could complicate these discussions.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Monaco during the BEFF and may advocate for the goal of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030, aiming to create new marine protected areas as mentioned during the SOS Ocean summit on March 31, 2025. On April 24, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed a decree permitting deep-sea mining, prompting discussions on the establishment of a moratorium on such activities at the UNOC.
Prior to the UNOC, the One Ocean Science Congress will take place in Nice from June 4-6, 2025, with an anticipated 2,000 participants.
A collective statement is expected to emerge from this congress, aiming to influence delegations and heads of state during the UNOC.
The nine days of discussions aim to culminate in a series of concrete decisions regarding ocean sustainability.
The Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF) is scheduled for June 7-8 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, followed by the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) from June 9-13 in Nice.
Co-organized by the government of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, alongside support from France and Costa Rica, the BEFF seeks to mobilize finance towards sustainable ocean initiatives.
The forum aims to attract approximately 1,500 economic stakeholders to establish connections between entrepreneurs and investors to advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Robert Calcagno, Director General of the Oceanographic Institute, outlined the financial requirements for achieving this goal, estimating an annual need of $175 billion, with only $25 billion currently mobilized.
This indicates a necessity to identify at least $150 billion in funding and highlights the challenge of persuading potential investors of the ocean's investment potential.
Efforts to enhance the blue economy will include sectors such as maritime transport, fisheries, ecosystem protection, and combating pollution, particularly plastic waste.
Following the BEFF, attention will shift to the UNOC in Nice, which may yield significant advancements, including a potential declaration aimed at establishing firm positions on environmental issues, particularly against illegal fishing and pollution.
The geopolitical climate and economic vulnerabilities could complicate these discussions.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Monaco during the BEFF and may advocate for the goal of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030, aiming to create new marine protected areas as mentioned during the SOS Ocean summit on March 31, 2025. On April 24, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed a decree permitting deep-sea mining, prompting discussions on the establishment of a moratorium on such activities at the UNOC.
Prior to the UNOC, the One Ocean Science Congress will take place in Nice from June 4-6, 2025, with an anticipated 2,000 participants.
A collective statement is expected to emerge from this congress, aiming to influence delegations and heads of state during the UNOC.
The nine days of discussions aim to culminate in a series of concrete decisions regarding ocean sustainability.
