Monaco has officially taken over the rotating presidency of the Pelagos Agreement, following a handover from France during the 10th Meeting of the Parties, held this week at the Rainier III Auditorium…
The responsibility now lies with Isabelle Rosabrunetto, who highlighted the honour and significance of this role, especially given the Principality’s long-standing commitment to protecting the marine environment.
The Pelagos Agreement, created in 1999 at the initiative of Monaco, France and Italy, governs the management and preservation of a vast marine sanctuary spanning nearly 90,000 km². This protected area stretches from the Giens Peninsula to northern Sardinia and from Cap Corse across to the Tuscan coast, forming a critical habitat for diverse marine mammals including dolphins, fin whales and sperm whales. These species, she noted, face increasing pressures linked to human activity, from pollution and underwater noise to collisions and fishing-related incidents.
Rosa-Brunetto emphasised Monaco’s determination to strengthen cooperation between the three member states while increasing outreach to universities, NGOs, foundations and local communities. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Pelagos Consortium at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice last June—an example of how the Agreement continues to evolve and expand its network.
She also reminded the public that protecting the sanctuary is “everyone’s business,” inviting citizens, associations and coastal municipalities to engage, donate, participate in educational programmes or even become Pelagos ambassadors.
As the presidency begins, Monaco aims to reinforce awareness of the sanctuary’s ecological importance while supporting concrete measures to ensure the long-term survival of Mediterranean marine life.
Photo by TJ Fitzsimmons
