Monaco Blue Initiative MPA Workshop

The 11th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative could not take place as planned in Monaco on 22 and 23 March, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With the intention of maintaining strong linkages, allowing a space for debate and making progress on the themes originally planned for the event, an online workshop was arranged on 28 March.

The online workshop discussing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) was arranged, in the presence of HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco who recalled the good habits of dialogue and cooperation that had been developed over the past 10 years, and recognised that the current crisis is a demonstration of our ability to react to change, but also a reminder of our fragility.

Key note speaker Brune Poirson, Secretary of State to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France, mentioned among many other important aspects the ongoing work of OSPAR in developing the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount MPA proposal for the high seas.

A panel of distinguished speakers shared perspectives and ideas on how to continue global work on MPAs during the challenging time of the COVID-19 crisis. The importance of engaging in multisectoral dialogue, ensuring a continued high ambition and a science driven process for MPA identification was underlined by many speakers.