Monaco takes part in celebration of World Oceans Day at UNESCO headquarters

H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, accompanied by a substantial Monegasque delegation, took part in World Oceans Day, which was celebrated on 8 June at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

For this annual United Nations day, always held on 8 June, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), in partnership with the French and Monegasque permanent representations to the organisation and the Ocean and Climate Platform 2015 (whose members include the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Institute of Oceanography), organised a thematic day on how the oceans and the climate system interact, just a few months ahead of the Paris Climate Conference (COP21).

Through scientific workshops, in which Mr Allemand, Mr Gattuso and Mr Cuvelier, among others, played an active role, along with round tables and exhibitions, this event provided an opportunity to bring together scientific experts, political decision-makers, representatives of civil society and young people. The aim was to attract attention to the impact of the oceans as a major source of oxygen and a regulator of the climate. It was also a chance to mobilise the international community on the issue of sustainable management of the oceans.

The day concluded with the delivery of the “Paris Appeal”, recommending the inclusion of the oceans in the future climate regime, to the senior political figures who attended the event, including H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince; Mr Laurent Fabius, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development; the President of Palau; the Vice President of the Seychelles; the Prime Minister of Barbados and the European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

On this occasion, H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince reiterated His full commitment to the current negotiations, whether on the status of the high seas or the adoption of a Sustainable Development Goal specifically for the oceans.

* The Monaco delegation comprised: Mr Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; H.E. Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti, Ambassador, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO; H.E. Mr Claude Cottalorda, Monaco’s Ambassador to France; H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, Vice President and Managing Director of the Prince Albert II Foundation; Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Advisor in H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince's Cabinet; Mr Jean-Philippe Vinci, Advisor to H.E. Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti; Ms Anne Fantini, Monaco’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO; and Mr Tidiani Couma, Secretary for External Relations in the Department of International Relations.