Prince William, heir to the British throne, issued a powerful call for ocean protection during a speech at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Speaking in both English and French, the prince warned that marine life is “diminishing before our eyes” due to human impacts like pollution, overfishing, and climate change. The event, which gathered world leaders, scientists, and investors, marked World Oceans Day and served as a prelude to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The speech emphasized the urgency of actions at global, national, and local levels to reverse environmental damage and promote a sustainable blue economy.
The Monaco event underscored the oceans’ critical role in global survival. William, who attended as the founder of the Earthshot Prize, an initiative rewarding innovative climate solutions, stressed the need for investment in marine conservation projects. The presence of figures like Prince Albert II of Monaco, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves added political weight to the forum.
- Key points of the speech:
- Threats to oceans, including plastic pollution and global warming.
- Oceans’ role in oxygen production and food security.
- Need for funding innovative preservation solutions.
William’s message resonated with environmentalists and leaders present, reinforcing that ocean protection is a collective responsibility.
Urgency of marine actions
The Blue Economy and Finance Forum, organized by Monaco’s government, the Prince Albert II Foundation, and the Monaco Oceanographic Institute, with support from France and Costa Rica, aimed to connect investors and experts to fund conservation initiatives. Prince William highlighted that oceans produce half of the planet’s oxygen, regulate the climate, and feed over three billion people. Yet, he warned that human activities are turning marine forests into “barren deserts,” a process he called “heartbreaking.”
The prince’s remarks were backed by alarming data. Plastic pollution, for instance, reaches critical levels, with millions of tons dumped into seas annually. Rising sea temperatures, driven by climate change, threaten ecosystems like coral reefs, which support a quarter of marine life. William urged that the issue must no longer be treated as “out of sight, out of mind,” demanding immediate, concrete actions.
Earthshot Prize’s role in conservation
As founder of the Earthshot Prize, William used the forum to spotlight initiatives already making a difference. Launched in 2020, the prize awards five million pounds annually to projects tackling the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. During the event, the prince met with finalists and winners, such as Coral Vita, which restores coral reefs by growing them on land for replanting in oceans. Another standout was Pristine Seas, which has helped protect marine areas equivalent to Germany’s size.
- Examples of Earthshot Prize initiatives:
- Coral Vita: Grew over 100,000 corals across 52 species.
- Pristine Seas: Protects marine areas with indigenous community support.
- Seaweed Farming: Turns seaweed into sustainable solutions.
These projects, William said, prove humanity has tools to reverse damage but lacks the financial and political support to scale them.
Global leadership at the forum
The presence of world leaders in Monaco underscored the issue’s importance. Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves noted that his country, despite covering just 0.03% of Earth’s surface, protects 30% of its marine territory, meeting global conservation goals ahead of the 2030 deadline. He argued that “vision without action is just demagoguery” and called for financing criteria that don’t penalize middle-income nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned of global warming’s impacts, which could raise sea levels by over a meter in extreme scenarios. He announced that France, the world’s second-largest maritime power due to its overseas territories, will strengthen its ocean protection goals. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the underfunding of marine conservation, noting that Goal 14 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, focused on oceans, is among the least financed.
Link to World Oceans Day
William’s speech coincided with World Oceans Day, celebrated on June 8. The day before, Kensington Palace released a video of the prince in conversation with renowned naturalist David Attenborough, whose work inspired the Earthshot Prize. In the video, they discussed the severity of the ocean crisis and the need for urgent action. Attenborough, who launched the documentary Ocean that day, stated that “saving the sea is saving the world,” a phrase William echoed in his speech.
The choice of the Grimaldi Forum, named after Monaco’s royal family, was deliberate. Monaco has positioned itself as a hub for sustainability discussions, led by Prince Albert II, known for his commitment to ocean projects. The forum drew about 1,800 attendees, including scientists, investors, and NGO representatives, all focused on turning ambitions into tangible actions.
Investments for a blue economy
A core theme of the forum was the blue economy, which promotes sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation. William acknowledged that investing in marine projects may seem distant to many but insisted it’s vital for ecosystems, economies, and communities. He urged investors to see the potential for returns in initiatives blending profit with positive environmental impact.
- Pillars of the blue economy discussed:
- Sustainable fishing to reduce ecosystem pressure.
- Marine biotechnology for developing new materials.
- Eco-friendly tourism that respects marine biodiversity.
- Renewable energy, like offshore wind turbines.
The forum also emphasized the need for public-private partnerships. Prince Albert II stressed that “concrete solutions already exist” and that the challenge is implementing them globally.
Strategic meetings in Monaco
Beyond the speech, William joined a closed-door session with experts and investors to discuss channeling funds into conservation projects. These meetings aimed to connect innovators with financiers willing to back large-scale initiatives. The prince’s approach, described as “using capitalism for good,” sought to avoid “blue washing”—when companies use environmental rhetoric without meaningful action.
William’s presence at the event was described by Kensington Palace aides as a historic intervention, reinforcing his role as a global statesman. His ability to speak French, used at the speech’s start and close, impressed the audience and highlighted his preparation.
Next steps in the ocean agenda
The Monaco forum served as a lead-up to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, held from June 9 to 13, 2025. The conference brought together governments, scientists, and organizations to discuss global conservation goals, including the commitment to protect 30% of oceans by 2030, agreed upon at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit. William is expected to continue engaging with these discussions, using his platform to amplify the issue’s urgency.
The prince’s central message in Monaco was clear: the time to act is now. He stressed that the ocean crisis is not just an environmental issue but one affecting economies, food security, and future generations. His speech, combined with the presence of global leaders, placed oceans at the heart of international debate.
