Monaco has unveiled the full programme for the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), set to take place on the 7th and 8th June, just days before the United Nations Ocean Conference begins in Nice. The Principality, under the leadership of Prince Albert II, will host heads of state, financial heavyweights, environmental leaders, and global institutions for two days of high-level panels, concrete solutions, and a landmark screening of a new documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
The event, held in the historic surrounds of Monaco, will serve as a platform for major announcements and actionable strategies to finance and accelerate the shift to a sustainable and regenerative blue economy. Organised by the Government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute — with backing from France and Costa Rica — BEFF is emerging as one of the flagship moments of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference calendar.
Packed two-day programme revealed
The Forum will open on the morning of Saturday 7th June with an address by HSH Prince Albert II, followed by keynote remarks from Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank. Sessions throughout the day will focus on financing ocean conservation and resilience, including panels on marine protected areas, biodiversity credits, and innovative public-private funding mechanisms.
In the afternoon, Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, will speak ahead of sessions on venture capital, blended finance, and investment opportunities in the blue economy. Running in parallel to the panels are 14 themed “Solution Hubs”, focusing on everything from regulated fishing zones and algae to shipping, plastics, and sustainable aquaculture.
The highlight of the evening will be a private screening of “Ocean”, a new environmental documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough, produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios in partnership with National Geographic, Minderoo Pictures and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The film promises to be a stirring cinematic tribute to marine ecosystems and the urgency of ocean action. Entry will be restricted to accredited BEFF delegates.
Day two: ports, policy and international leadership
Sunday 8th June will begin with additional solution hubs before shifting focus to maritime transport and port infrastructure. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), will open the day’s discussions. Panels will explore the decarbonisation of maritime trade and adapting ports to climate challenges.
The Forum will close with high-level statements on governance and finance, including final addresses from President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
High-profile speakers confirmed
A number of high-profile international figures are confirmed to take part in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Among them is Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who brings a wealth of experience in biodiversity and climate action. Renowned investor and ocean philanthropist Ray Dalio will also be present, lending his voice to the importance of private sector engagement in ocean preservation. Thierry Deau, President of SUEZ, is set to contribute insights from the infrastructure and environmental services sector, while Sylvie Goulard, Co-Chair of the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity (IAPB), will speak on governance and policy frameworks. Sanda Ojiambo, Under-Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, will address the role of responsible business in ocean sustainability. Completing the list of notable speakers is Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of global shipping giant CMA CGM, who is expected to highlight the maritime industry’s transition toward cleaner and more efficient operations.
BEFF will also showcase an Innovation Hall, where cutting-edge ocean technologies and regenerative blue economy solutions will be on display — offering a tangible look at what’s possible when science, finance, and political will align.
As momentum builds for the UN Ocean Conference in Nice (9th–13th June), Monaco’s forum sets the tone with a strong call to action: to close the investment gap in ocean sustainability and bring global stakeholders together in shared purpose. As Prince Albert II remarked ahead of the event, “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.”
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Photo of Prince Albert at the Monaco Blue Initiative 2023. Photo credit: Vinaj