Just days before the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) opens in Nice (June 9–13, 2025), the Principality of Monaco will take center stage by hosting the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on June 7–8, 2025. Co-organized by the Government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, this high-level event is set to catalyze action on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): conserving and sustainably using ocean resources.
While an estimated $175 billion per year is needed to meet global ocean sustainability goals, only $25 billion has been mobilized so far—a massive funding gap BEFF aims to help close.
A Global Push to Finance Ocean Health
The BEFF brings together global financial institutions, multilateral organizations, political leaders, and blue economy innovators. The goal is to foster concrete financial commitments that can scale marine conservation and blue growth projects. As Prince Albert II of Monaco declared, “Together, we will mobilize the necessary investments—both public and private—for a sustainable blue economy.”
Through a series of plenary sessions, panels, and side events, the forum will present tangible pathways to finance marine conservation initiatives. Panels will cover:
- Local and national conservation efforts (MPAs, coral reefs, regulated fishing)
- Cross-border tools (biodiversity credits, insurance models)
- Mixed public-private partnerships
- Venture capital financing of blue innovations
Maritime Infrastructure and Blue Innovation on the Agenda
The second day will shift focus to blue ports and maritime transport, with sessions led by Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Two major themes will be:
- Decarbonizing maritime transport
- Upgrading ports and coastal infrastructure for climate resilience
These discussions will be complemented by sessions on global governance and sustainable financing models, including statements from multilateral leaders and Heads of State, such as Emmanuel Macron, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, and Prince Albert II himself.
Blue Innovation Hall: 10 Game-Changing Solutions
A highlight of BEFF will be the Blue Innovation Hall, co-curated with The Earthshot Prize. It replaces the traditional pitch format with an interactive, investment-ready exhibition featuring 10 breakthrough companies addressing critical ocean issues.
Key Innovators by Sector:
- Plastic Pollution: Matter, Plastic For Change
- Blue Food & Aquaculture: Protix, Symbrosia
- Green Shipping Technologies: Equatic, Twelve
- Marine Data: NatureMetrics
- Ecosystem Restoration: Coral Vita, Econcrete, Coast4C
These companies will engage directly with investors and stakeholders at branded stands, aiming to fast-track the deployment of their market-ready, scalable solutions.
Solution Hubs: From Coral Reefs to Plastic Waste
From 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 7 and again on the morning of June 8, “Solution Hubs” will run in parallel to the main forum. These side events will tackle critical themes such as:
- Coral reef and MPA protection
- Coastal resilience strategies
- Sustainable fishing and aquaculture
- Ocean tourism and blue fuel alternatives
- Blue finance in the Pacific and Canadian marine tech innovation
A special evening screening of the documentary “Ocean with David Attenborough” will be held for accredited participants. The film, a co-production by National Geographic, Silverback Films, and the Prince Albert II Foundation, underscores the event’s commitment to powerful environmental storytelling.
A Global Ocean Movement Anchored in Monaco
BEFF is a strategic pillar of the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, and will feed into the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan on June 13. It complements Monaco’s broader commitment to ocean diplomacy through key partnerships with:
- UN Global Compact
- Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA)
- World Economic Forum
- High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Among the anticipated speakers are Christine Lagarde (European Central Bank), Ray Dalio (Bridgewater Associates), Razan Al Mubarak (IUCN), Andrew Forrest (Fortescue), and James Scriven (IDB Invest), highlighting the forum’s global reach.
