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To celebrate the legacy of Prince Albert I in oceanography and science, Monaco signed a partnership with UNESCO to provide financial support for young scientists in their research programmes.

The Principality of Monaco wishes to keep alive the legacy of Prince Albert I in oceanography and science on the occasion of the centenary of his death in 2022. This visionary prince - often referred to as the "Prince Scholar" - embodied the values that are promoted by UNESCO. This commemoration by Monaco in association with UNESCO takes place during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO).

The MAB Young Scientists Awards programme has been in existence since 1989. It has already rewarded more than 300 young scientists, 45% of whom are women, from over 100 countries. Their research focuses specifically on biosphere reserves. More than 200 of the 738 biosphere reserves include marine, coastal and island areas. At the 34th session of the International Coordinating Committee of the MAB Programme (MAB-ICC), the Principality of Monaco presented a proposal to strengthen the link between this programme and the United Nations Ocean Decade. Mr Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the IOC/UNESCO welcomed the new partnership.

UNESCO biosphere reserves are well placed to respond to some of the challenges identified for this UN Decade - in particular, to protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity, and to change humanity's relationship with the ocean, thus contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Through this support, Monaco is participating in the creation of scientific synergies through UNESCO's various programmes so that the Decade's activities can, in a sustainable manner, shed light on our relationship with the ocean and provide everyone with a better understanding of environmental issues, the fight against climate change and the protection of ecosystems, whether they be marine, coastal or island. The aim is to continue this annual funding until the end of the Decade in 2030

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About the IOC/UNESCO:

The  promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.

About the Ocean Decade:

Proclaimed in 2017 by the  (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.