Monaco: Prince William delivered a powerful call to action at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, urging global leaders to tackle ocean preservation with urgency. The prince stressed the need for decisive action to meet the target set at the UN Biodiversity Summit in 2022 to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prince William’s address was characterized by a sense of urgency and a call for unity among the attendees, who included prominent figures such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. His speech highlighted the pressing issues facing the oceans, including rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution, and overfishing, which threaten both marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
Speaking before an audience of 1,800, William emphasized the dire consequences of human activity on ocean life. He called for immediate and optimistic action, quoting the esteemed biologist Sir David Attenborough: “If we save the sea, we save our world.” Prince William’s collaboration with Attenborough was also noted, as the two shared a commitment to protecting the natural world and supporting each other’s environmental initiatives.
The prince’s speech underscored the importance of the Earthshot Prize, which he founded to promote innovative environmental solutions. He met with finalists and winners of the prize, including Sam Teicher from Coral Vita and Jennifer Koepke from WildAid, who have developed groundbreaking methods to combat ocean degradation.
Organized by Monaco’s government, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the BEFF is a special event of the UN Ocean Conference. It aims to advance sustainable development goals related to ocean conservation. France is set to host the UN Ocean Conference in Nice from June 9 to June 13.
In related diplomatic news, Britain’s King Charles is preparing to host President Macron on a state visit in July, further strengthening environmental collaboration between the UK and France.