14 June 2021

8 June 2021 – World Oceans Day

The Monaco Explorations project officially endorsed as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

On the occasion of the celebration of World Oceans Day on 8 June 2021, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission announced the first set of international actions officially endorsed as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.

The Monaco Explorations project is one of 66 actions officially endorsed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. This endorsement is the outcome of the consideration of nearly 250 responses to the Decade first call for action launched in October 2020.

“From restoring the Great Barrier Reef to mapping 100% of the ocean floor in high resolution, these innovative programmes and contributions make up the first set of Ocean Decade Actions that will contribute to help deliver the ocean we want by 2030.”
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.
“The originality and strength of Monaco Explorations contribution to the Ocean Decade reside in the combination of science, outreach, diplomacy and governmental action under the leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco".
Robert Calcagno, Chief Executive Officer of Monaco Explorations.
Robert Calcagno, Chief Executive Officer of Monaco Explorations.

First step: Indian Ocean Expedition

The Monaco Explorations project will begin with the Indian Ocean Expedition currently being prepared for October-November 2022. This expedition will be based on this three pillars, science, outreach and political action, in line with the objectives of the Decade and its Implementation Plan aiming “to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development”.  

Monaco Explorations Expedition to Malpelo © O.Borde. Monaco Explorations

More information

Unesco announcement
Ocean Decade
Global Ocean Sciences Report 2020