For its 16th edition, the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI) once again played an important role in Ocean protection. Held just a few months in advance of the Third UN Ocean Conference, which will happen in June in the neighbouring city of Nice, France, MBI16 was a welcome step for key leaders in Ocean governance to check progress on several themes that will be discussed at the Conference. MBI 16 addressed:

• opportunities for a successful transition from a maritime to a regenerative blue economy while protecting the economy and marine ecosystems;
• the role of science in guiding institutional and economic decision makers in preserving, sustainably managing, and restoring marine ecosystems; and
• options for accelerating financial resource mobilization to meet SDG 14 (life below water) targets.

The meeting also featured updates given by the organisers of the Third UN Ocean Conference in 2025, the 2025 IUCN Conservation Congress, and the 2025 Our Ocean Conference.

The 16th meeting of the Monaco Blue Initiative convened in Monaco under the Presidency of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, from 23-24 March 2025. This edition addressed key themes of the Third UN Ocean Conference that will take place in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025, and helped prepare for the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF), which will be held prior to the Conference, in Monaco on June 7 and 8, 2025.

Please visit the MBI website to access the programme.

The Monaco Blue Initiative is co-organized by the Oceanographic Institute – Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writer for this meeting was Jean-Christophe Vandevelde, Ph.D. The Digital Editor was Mika Schröder, Ph.D. The Editor was Leila Mead.

Funding for ENB coverage of this meeting was provided by the Monaco Blue Initiative.