Looking back at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice and Monaco - a milestone for global marine protection

The UN Ocean Conference in Nice and Monaco was undoubtedly the most important international summit on ocean protection to date. Thousands of representatives from science, business, politics, finance and civil society came together to emphasise the fundamental role of the ocean for life on our planet - and to make clear the urgency of immediate action in view of the damage that has already occurred.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, put it particularly succinctly: now is the time to mobilise all available forces and financial resources to protect the ocean and restore damaged marine regions.

It was a special honour for the German Ocean Foundation to be part of the high-calibre panel announcing the European Ocean Pact - together with the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and our partners from the Oceano Azul Foundation and Europe Jacques Delors. US Special Envoy John Kerry also emphasised the international importance of this initiative with his participation. At the centre of the conference was the announcement by the EU Commission that it would provide one billion euros for ocean protection in the coming years - a historic signal.

The conference was also a place to meet, collaborate and plan for the future. Numerous foundations showed great interest in our work and in particular in the further deployment of our research and media ship ALDEBARAN. Together, we plan to expand our successful communication and education work - as well as advance specific marine conservation projects.

One particular highlight is the planned large-scale reintroduction of seagrass beds in the Baltic Sea, which we are now driving forward with renewed vigour. We are also very pleased to be turning our long-standing friendship with the legendary marine researcher Sylvia Earle into concrete collaborations - for example through support of her globally recognised ‘Hope Spots’, including in Germany.

Based on these strong foundations, the ALDEBARAN now has the potential to build a scientific and communicative bridge - connecting the North Sea, Baltic Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean. A series of new projects in the Mediterranean is in preparation - and we are eager to begin.