Monaco will take centre stage in June as it hosts the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8, a major event preceding the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, BEFF aims to drive urgent investment into restoring ocean health and building a sustainable, regenerative blue economy—a sector that remains woefully underfunded despite its critical importance.
Led by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and jointly organised by the Monaco Government, the Prince Albert II Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute, the Forum will bring together a formidable line-up of global finance leaders, policymakers, industry chiefs and environmental experts. Supported by France and Costa Rica, BEFF is a direct response to the funding chasm that threatens progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14. Of the $175 billion needed each year to safeguard marine ecosystems, just $25 billion has been raised to date. The Principality is determined to close this gap and send a strong message ahead of the UN summit.
Prince Albert II underscored the urgency of the mission, stating: “Together, we will mobilise the necessary investments—both public and private—for a sustainable blue economy, and lay the foundations for a future that unites human progress with the preservation of the planet.”
Over two packed days, the Forum will host high-level plenary sessions, panels, and interactive “Solution Hubs” tackling a range of issues from marine conservation financing to maritime decarbonisation, biodiversity credits, and innovation in blue tech. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, will open the conference, while key contributions are expected from world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
The agenda also features the likes of Ray Dalio, Andrew Forrest, and Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, all lending weight to what Monaco hopes will be a forum of action, not empty promises. A Blue Innovation Hall will showcase groundbreaking technologies already being deployed to protect marine ecosystems and revolutionise maritime industries.
BEFF is just one of several major events leading up to the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice from 9–13 June 2025, expected to be the largest summit ever held on ocean issues. With Monaco setting the tone, the message is clear: the era of vague commitments is over. It’s time to fund the future of our oceans—or face the consequences of continued neglect.
More information can be found at: https://beff2025monaco.org
