Monaco has reinforced its longstanding commitment to ocean conservation with the inauguration of a new permanent secretariat for the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) programme...
The ceremony, attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, marks another important milestone in the Principality’s historic relationship with marine science and the protection of the world’s oceans.
Hosted by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which has been based in Monaco since 1921, the new secretariat will support international efforts to map the world’s seabed. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that understanding the ocean floor is essential not only for safe navigation, but also for protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
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The occasion also provided an opportunity to recall the pioneering work of Prince Albert I, whose passion for oceanography helped establish Monaco as an international centre for marine research. He was instrumental in bringing the International Hydrographic Bureau, the predecessor of today’s IHO, to the Principality and supported the early development of GEBCO.
Speaking at the inauguration, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, highlighted the continuity between Prince Albert I’s scientific vision and the Principality’s present-day environmental commitments. More than a century later, Monaco continues to play an important role in international efforts to explore, understand and preserve the oceans, with seabed mapping providing a foundation for future discoveries and conservation initiatives.
Image: Monaco Info
