Space serving the oceans: the Princely Government strengthens its commitment and joins the Space4Ocean Alliance

Launched by CNES in 2023, the Space4Ocean Alliance was officially inaugurated in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025, on the occasion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), following two initial preparatory meetings in Paris and Monaco. This international initiative, of which the Principality of Monaco is a founding member through the Department of External Relations and Cooperation and the Office of Space Affairs, aims to strengthen synergies between space technologies and marine sciences in support of ocean protection.

Bringing together space agencies, scientific and maritime institutions, and multilateral organizations, the Alliance seeks to provide a concrete and collaborative response to major ocean challenges. It aligns with key international frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda (SDG 14), the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and UNESCO’s Decade of Ocean Science.

On 13 June, during the closing session of UNOC3, the 27 founding members presented their declarations of interest to Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. A few days earlier, at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, the declaration was signed in the presence of prominent figures including astronaut Thomas Pesquet, Minister Philippe Baptiste, and the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi.

Among the upcoming milestones, the Alliance’s first Steering Committee will be held in Oslo in the third quarter of 2025. It will define the governance structure and adopt a shared roadmap.

“This commitment is not theoretical: it addresses the real-life challenges faced by the most vulnerable states—rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and declining marine resources. Thanks to satellite imagery, in-situ data, and digital models, we can observe, understand and anticipate—provided these tools are shared fairly.”
— Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco

“The Monaco Office of Space Affairs is not about exploration but about the concrete use of space technologies to tackle environmental issues. Space is a key tool for sustainable ocean governance.”
— Olivier Minazzoli, Director of the Monaco Office of Space Affairs

Strategic Objectives of the Space4Ocean Alliance:

• Strengthen cooperation among space, maritime, and scientific communities for integrated ocean management.

• Bridge observation and operational service gaps through innovative space missions and applications.

• Build capacity in vulnerable countries—especially SIDS and LDCs—by expanding access to data and training.

• Support the development of local, regional, and global marine ecosystem indicators to inform decision-making.

• Deliver concrete solutions in key areas:

  • Biodiversity: Enhanced monitoring of marine protected areas.

  • Climate: Observation and analysis of ocean and coastal responses to climate change and extreme events.

  • Sustainable blue economy: Promotion of responsible practices in fishing, energy, and maritime transport.

  • Pollution: Detection and mitigation of marine and coastal pollution.

  • Coastal zones: Management of growing anthropogenic pressures.

  • Maritime security: Combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Space4Ocean Alliance thus positions itself as an international platform for coordinated, concrete action, leveraging knowledge and technology to safeguard our blue planet.