April 9, 2024. On the eve of the announcement of the Mediterranean Missions in Barcelona, for the second meeting of the Decade of the OceanXavier Prache sets the scene, looks ahead to the next stage of his career and measures the progress made since his arrival on September 1, 2023 at the head of the company. Explorations of Monaco.
Off we go!
Here we go! April 9, 2024. Announcing Monaco’s Mediterranean Explorations Missions!
Barely 7 months after taking the helm of this singular platform, entirely dedicated to serving H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco’s commitment to the knowledge, sustainable management and protection of the Ocean, I find myself in Barcelona. From the top of the terrace of the apartment rented for the occasion, the Explorations team’s HQ for this baptism of fire, I contemplate the Port Vell and its promenade, where the travelling exhibition on Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean, entitled“Time for Action“, has been on display for the past few days. This formidable mediation tool is the result of a lot of hard work, carried out with our partners for the occasion. Everything is ready, or seems to be! The team worked for it! Before me, Gilles Bessero, former director of Explorations de Monaco, had paved the way. Like a good ship’s captain, I followed her, making sure that every member of the crew was prepared for the big day.
And here we are! The first mediation activities began the day before with classes from the Lycée Français de Barcelone, including the 4th grade class with ” maritime challenges“. Students who are already motivated and committed, to be tomorrow’s ambassadors of the Mediterranean to their classmates and families, and the day after tomorrow to their children, in turn, and to their colleagues in their professional lives. They’re lively, interested and curious, with the insolence that youth still allows: the challenges facing the Mediterranean in general, and the Marine Protected Areas in particular, are nourished by this youth, this strength, this hope for the future.
Time for Action
This nugget of biodiversity, the Mediterranean, represents less than 1% of the total surface area of the oceans. Yet it is home to 8% of the world’s marine species and 28% of endemic species. This sea in the middle of the land needs our common commitment, all generations, strengths and skills united, so that the ambitious targets set in 2022 in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework have a chance of being approached: 30% of the Mediterranean duly conserved and managed by 2030! It’s time for action.
For months, the team has been working on the events that will mark the announcement day. But we’re not alone: the co-organizers of these events, MedPAN, SPA/RAC, The MedFund and the Monk Seal Alliance, have been supporting us from the outset. Our institutional partners too, the Princely Government, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Oceanographic Institute, the Monaco Scientific Centre, and the Yacht Club de Monaco, thanks to which we are lucky enough to be accompanied to Barcelona by Tuiga, the Principality of Monaco’s heritage yacht. No, we’re not alone, and we’re even privileged to be able to count on the presence of the Sovereign Prince at each of our satellite events. What other country in the world can boast such a commitment, on a daily basis, to the Ocean, and here in particular the Mediterranean Sea?
The stage is set for Mediterranean Missions. For a long time! Just imagine: 7 years of missions all around the Mediterranean, serving marine protected areas and their managers. Barcelona will be followed in October 2024 by the first Mediterranean Missions launch mission, in Greece! 5 weeks in which we look forward to coming back to you to share the Principality of Monaco’s commitment…
Onwards and upwards! Set course for the Mediterranean and its marine protected areas!
Xavier PRACHE
Director of Explorations in Monaco.
Xavier PRACHE succeeded Gilles BESSERO on September 1, 2023.
