From April 15 to 17, the “Our Ocean” summit took place in Athens. Bringing together political decision-makers, representatives of the private sector and civil society, the event was an opportunity to advance the issue of ocean preservation.
No less than 120 governments from around the world made the trip, including Monaco through the Prince Albert II Foundation, which has worked since its creation to preserve the seas and oceans.
“The Mediterranean Sea is suffering from a triple crisis: climate, loss of biodiversity and plastic pollution,” Olivier Wenden, vice-president and managing director of the Prince Albert II Foundation, told Monaco Info. To respond to this terrible observation, marine protected areas represent “one of the best assets to respond to this triple crisis while providing economic solutions to local communities” explained Olivier Wenden.
60 million for the ambitious objective of 30×30
Defined during COP 15 on biodiversity in 2022, the 30×30 objective aims to preserve 30% of land and 30% of seas on our planet. An ambitious objective but difficult to achieve since to succeed, it would be necessary to create 40 new marine protected areas per day until 2030 according to Enric Sala, explorer at National Geographic.
Today, only 8.33% of the surface of the Mediterranean Sea is protected by marine areas. This is why the Sovereign announced that his Foundation, alongside other private and public donors, would commit to paying 60 million dollars out of the 277 million needed in order to preserve the 30% promised by 2030. .
“Efforts to protect the Mediterranean Sea have increased over the years, but not quickly enough. (…) Urgent action is needed at all levels if we are to achieve this ambitious goal. With this commitment, private and public donors call on others to join the effort,” commented Prince Albert II.
Greece also set an example by announcing, at the opening of the summit, that it would create two new marine protected areas on its territory.
