The program for the third edition of Monaco Ocean Week has been unveiled and its set to be an intensive seven days, with everything from the future of yachting to biomimicry on the agenda.

From 24th to 30th March, the Principality of Monaco will once again be putting key ocean issues in the spotlight.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, together with the Monaco Government, the Monaco Scientific Centre, the Oceanographic Institute and the Monaco Yacht Club have all reaffirmed their commitment to take action against threats to the environment, especially the ocean.

Monaco Ocean Week allows stakeholders to share their analysis of major issues related to the preservation of the marine environment and to enable them to find concrete solutions.

‘The future of our shared heritage’ will be the subject of the third edition, which is bringing together scientists, experts, NGOs and representatives of civil society to discuss the key issue of ocean protection. On the agenda are topics addressing innovation, research and developing a blue economy. The possibilities offered by biomimicry, the opportunities created by bioplastics, rethinking yachting of the future, pooling initiatives to curb and tackle plastic pollution more effectively, and developing a sustainable ocean economy are among the themes that will be tackled during a variety of workshops and talks being held throughout the week.

Opening Monaco Ocean Week is the 10th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative, whose objective is the development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by increasing their effectiveness and extent. These sanctuaries appear to be one of the most appropriate solutions for protecting marine ecosystems from human activities, yet still only represent 7.44% of the surface of the world’s oceans.

Among the questions being debated this year are: in the context of conservation and exploitation, how can we ensure the effective protection of the marine environment beyond the Aichi targets, how does a coherent network of MPAs contribute to the protection of migratory species, and what economic value should be attached to MPAs?

The Principality of Monaco’s commitment to marine ecosystem conservation is deeply rooted in its history with the inauguration of the Institute of Oceanography by Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1911, and more recently, with the creation of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006.