Blue Economy and Finance Forum: €25 billion in investments already identified, with a further €8.7 billion committed to accelerating the ocean transition

Organized on June 7–8 by the Princely Government, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, with the support of France and Costa Rica, the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) brought together 1,800 participants from nearly 100 countries in Monaco, as part of the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
Heads of State, business leaders, investors, philanthropists, development banks, NGOs… all responded to the call: to mobilize more financial resources to invest in a sustainable and regenerative blue economy.
Mission accomplished: several billion euros have been committed for the coming years, and a structured coalition is now in place, as announced by the co-chairs, H.E. Ilana Seid and Mr. Pascal Lamy.

Key takeaways from the BEFF:

A global financial momentum underway

The BEFF highlighted over $25 billion in already identified investments in concrete ocean transition projects across diverse sectors: decarbonization of maritime transport and ports, marine ecosystem restoration, ocean energy, biotechnology... A multisector dynamic driven by a broad coalition of public, private, philanthropic, and financial actors — proving that blue finance is becoming a reality.

New financial commitments

The BEFF saw the announcement of new firm financial commitments totaling €8.7 billion by 2030, further advancing momentum toward a regenerative and sustainable ocean economy:

• €4.7 billion from philanthropists and private investors
• €4 billion mobilized by public financial institutions

These commitments represent around 8% of current annual blue finance flows (estimated at €25 billion/year). This marks a significant step forward and sends a strong signal that the time for action has truly begun — especially in the wake of the recently adopted BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) and GBF (Global Biodiversity Framework) agreements.

Structuring Coalitions for the future of the ocean

Several major initiatives were formalized at the BEFF:

• 80 companies from 25 countries, representing a combined €600 billion in revenue, signed the “Business in Ocean” call to action, committing to:

o   Integrate ocean-related risks and opportunities into their strategies
o   Report on their impacts on marine ecosystems
o   Invest in ocean-positive solutions
o   Support a just and inclusive transition for ocean-dependent communities.

• Launch of the “Philanthropists and Investors in Ocean” alliance, dedicated to impact investment for high ecological and social impact projects, especially in the Global South;
• Launch of the #BackBlue Commitment Ocean Finance, a coalition of financial actors now representing $3 trillion in assets under management, pledging to integrate ocean considerations into investment decisions;
• Creation of the Finance in Common alliance gathering 20 development banks committed to jointly mobilizing over $5 billion per year for ocean protection, in line with SDG 14.

“In just two days, I think something has shifted. […] Occasionally albeit too rarely, positive momentum does occur and what we have witnessed here in Monaco is precisely that. We witnessed it throughout our discussions: everything is now in place to make the major turning point our ocean requires and the world expects” has declared HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The Blue Economy and Finance Forum laid the foundation for a financial coalition in support of the ocean, clearly demonstrating « how effective synergies between political leaders and economic players can be to identify new way of taking actions. To adapt national and international regulations to the most sustainable solutions. To support the deployment and financing of those solutions […]. We must build more of these alliances. »

An ambitious and responsible blue economy is not only possible — it is essential for the future of our planet. And « this Forum, I believe, has laid strong and credible foundations and charted a path forward that is both positive and practical » concluded the Sovereign Prince.