4th International Workshop on Ocean Acidification: Report on the Conclusions

On Tuesday 17 October 2017, after three days of fruitful discussions, the conclusions of the 4^th international workshop on ocean acidification were presented, in the presence, notably, of H. S. H. the Sovereign Prince.

The policy recommendations and scientific and technical views identified during the workshop were presented at this event. This year, the workshop focused on the theme of coral reefs. Professor Denis Allemand, Scientific Director of Monaco Scientific Centre, recalled that ocean acidification results from carbon dioxide, emitted by human activities, dissolving in the oceans. He also pointed out that coral reefs, which are fragile ecosystems that are sensitive to climate change, act as "sentinels" of the state of health of the oceans, and are actors in, and victims of, global warming.

H. S. H. Prince Albert II

In His speech, H. S. H. the Sovereign Prince recalled the great importance of marine protected areas, which slow down the action of global warming by reducing local pressures. H. S. H. the Prince concluded His speech with a major point - the importance of an economic approach to demonstrate the necessity of taking environmental issues into account.

This 4^th Workshop led to many recommendations, such as the need to monitor marine protected areas, based on human and scientific criteria, increasing education, awareness-raising and communication among populations and restoring coral reefs. The workshop also highlighted the need to coordinate economic and political action and develop research to gather scientific data, which is essential for planning our future.

As a reminder, the workshops on ocean acidification arose from Monaco's Declaration (2008), the aim of which was to draw policymakers' attention to the issues of ocean acidification and encourage research efforts in this field. This 4^th Workshop, organised by Monaco Scientific Centre in partnership with the IAEA's Environment Laboratories, the Prince Albert II Foundation and the French Ministry of Ecology and Solidarity Transition, brought together sixty or so world specialists in technical, scientific, economic and political solutions for "saving" the coral reefs. The event followed on from the declaration of commitment made in Malta on 6 October.

A report is available on Monaco Info and Monaco Channel.