The Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) begins June 7 in Monaco. The forum’s goal is to increase funding to support a sustainable Blue Economy, given that Sustainable Development Goal 14–Life Below Water–is the most underfunded SDG. It is estimated that of the USD $175 billion needed each year, only $25 billion has been mobilized to date.
And yet, the entire world depends on a healthy ocean.
The Blue Finance Forum aims to bridge this gap by bringing together business leaders from finance and industry, government representatives, multilateral institutions, and stakeholders committed to the Blue Economy. Through concrete examples of scale-up and the announcement of innovative mechanisms for mobilizing additional available capital, the forum aims to activate sustainable financing for the development of a sustainable and regenerative Blue Economy.
“Together, we will mobilize 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,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The BEFF was jointly organized by the Government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, with the support of France and Costa Rica. It will feature presentations by Prince Albert II, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of Costa Rica; Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank; Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans and many more dignitaries.
Over two days, plenary sessions, panels and side-events will focus on ocean preservation and the financing of a sustainable Blue Economy, geared towards action, which will enable the various players to meet, cross-fertilize their experiences and analyze the means of scaling up the solutions identified.
In addition, a Blue innovation Hall will showcase innovative solutions and technologies spanning critical sectors including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, green shipping and yachting, marine ecosystem restoration and protection, ocean data and intelligence, and plastic pollution.
