The 11^th 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.

In a spirit of resilience and mobilization, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Steering Committee of the Monaco Blue Initiative, bringing together the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, decided to keep the momentum on this event and to propose the first-ever digital edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative through three virtual Workshops.

The objective of these workshops is to articulate a series of key recommendations which can inform the important global Ocean gatherings which are currently being restructured and rescheduled.

ACCOBAMS participated to the 3^rd Workshop : “How can Blue Economy and sustainable management of the Ocean in the fields of tourism, transport, energy, fishing and aquaculture, be reconciled?”

The Mediterranean Action Plan of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP) announces the “Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security”—a 43 million USD endeavour funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim of reducing major environmental stresses, strengthening climate resilience and water security, and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations in the Mediterranean region.

The MedProgramme –an assortment of seven child projects—will deploy more than 100 coordinated actions at regional and national levels over the next 5 years (2020-2024). This is expected to lead, among other positive impacts, to the disposal of 3,250 tons of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and of fifty (50) tons of Mercury, as well as the prevention of the use of 1,309 tons of POPs per year, an increase in volumes of water treatments, and improvements in coastal and water management.

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