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Embracing the diversity of maritime issues, and to do so working with
all the players involved in the sea: this is the ambition of the Monaco
Blue Initiative. This informal think tank prides itself on bringing together
various and complementary fields of expertise each year. It does so in a
spirit of dialogue and responsibility, but more importantly, with the focus
on finding effective solutions (…)

In this context, and this is something too rare not to be mentioned, this year gives us
some grounds for satisfaction. I am of course referring to the adoption of the High
Seas Treaty by the United Nations on 4 March. This Treaty finally opens up genuine
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prospects, not only in terms of protection, but also for the sustainable management
and exploitation of the High Seas, which represent over 60% of the global ocean.

The same applies to another achievement over the last few months: the 30x30
commitment set by the global framework for biodiversity adopted in December 2022,
and which at last sets the target of protecting one third of land and marine surfaces
by 2030.

These two consecutive decisions are of course interconnected and illustrate a change
in the overall attitude of our contemporaries in regard to maritime issues. This is the
outcome of a very lengthy efforts, because many of us for years have been alerting to
the need to better recognise the importance of the ocean in major world issues (…)

And this is the very challenge we need to focus on: to intensify, accelerate and
generalise the ocean protection movement underway. To do so by involving all the
stakeholders, in a coherent and coordinated fashion. And thus create, all together,
a development paradigm finally capable of reconciling humankind with the sea.”

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Excerpt from the address by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, during the 14t edition
of the Monaco Blue Initiative on 20 March 2023.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco