Macron's State Visit to Monaco: A Momentous Gathering for Marine Conservation
French President Macron travels to Monaco prior to attending the United Nations Ocean Conference. - French President Embraces U.N. Ocean Summit's beginning
Prepare yourself for a splash of diplomacy! Emmanuel Macron paid a historic visit to the teeny-tiny principality of Monaco in June 2025, the first official state visit by a French president since François Mitterrand swung by in 1984. This visit was more than just a jolly, though – it’s all about the ocean!
What went down?
This visit wasn't just about doling out souvenirs and swapping pleasantries. The focus was on marine conservation and getting ready for the third UN Ocean Conference in the chic city of Nice. The gathering, set to be held on Monday, is considered the ultimate event for preserving the big blue. Sadly, due to that pesky climate change and pollution, our oceans are in dire straits at the moment.
What about Monaco?
Picture this: You find yourself in the French Riviera, nestled delightfully between Nice and the Italian border. That's where you'd find the minuscule but majestic principality of Monaco. Before hopping to Nice, Macron and his buddy Prince Albert II cruised over to a swanky company that whips up energy from ocean H2O, and then checked out the fashionable Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
By the way, if you're keeping track, Monaco is the second smallest state in the world, just slipping in under the Vatican State.
The Importance of this Visit
Here's the skinny:1. International Environmental Cooperation: Accord between France and Monaco was the main agenda. Shake hands, kiss babies, and sign declarations strengthening cooperation to tackle marine pollution, illegal fishing, and the preservation of biodiversity.2. UN Ocean Conference Prep Time: The visit rolled up to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, with the European Ocean Pact poised to air later during the conference. The pact is aimed at addressing the ugly threats that climate change and pollution pose to biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.3. Historical Awwwws: The visit carried substantial historical significance, marking a significant moment in the amicable bond shared between France and Monaco for over four decades since the last state visit.4. Action on the Environment: The focus on environmental cooperation underscores a broader trend in European diplomacy to prioritize sustainability and climate action.5. Boosting Economic and Cultural Ties: The visit highlighted the economic and cultural bonds that link Monaco to France, with countless French citizens plying their trade in Monaco daily.
- During Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Monaco in 2025, a Council Decision was conceptualized, aimed at strengthening cooperation on marine conservation, illegal fishing, and preservation of biodiversity between France and Monaco.
- In the lead-up to the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the visit emphasized the importance of environmental science and its role in mitigating the impacts of climate-change and pollution on the ocean and coastal livelihoods.
- The visit brought global attention to Monaco's Environmental Science sector, particularly its Oceanographic Museum, demonstrating the principality's commitment to general-news and conservation efforts.
