In an ambitious move to champion oceanic conservation, Monaco has announced it will host the pioneering Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in June 2025. This initiative, born from a collaboration between the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Prince Albert II Foundation, alongside the French Organising Committee for UNOC 2022, underscores the principality's enduring commitment to the oceans' wellbeing.
Scheduled for the 7th and 8th of June 2025 at the Grimaldi Forum, this event aims to serve as a crucible for innovative financial solutions and business strategies geared towards the protection of marine environments. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between the public and private sectors, BEFF aspires to cultivate a sustainable blue economy, aligning closely with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) – a global mandate to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Co-chaired by notable figures Pascal Lamy and Ilana Seid, the forum will bridge traditional maritime economic activities with sustainable practices, encouraging a fruitful dialogue among businesses, financial institutions, insurance companies, and governmental bodies. This confluence of diverse stakeholders aims to forge a consensus on advancing ocean protection without sacrificing economic vitality.
The outcomes of the BEFF, rich with strategic recommendations and actionable solutions, are slated to be presented at the subsequent United Nations Diplomatic Conference in Nice. This strategic positioning ensures that the discourse generated at the forum will resonate at the highest levels of international policy-making.
Monaco's leadership in convening the Blue Economy and Finance Forum signals a proactive and forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship. It highlights the principality's role not just as a luxury destination but as a vanguard in the global effort to safeguard our planet's most precious resource – the oceans.