On 08 June, the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) concluded in Monaco, hosted by Prince Albert of Monaco, with leaders pledging their support and emphasising global responsibility for ocean protection. Prince William of Wales, Great Britain, described the challenge of saving the oceans as something that has not been witnessed before and warned that the time is short. He also expressed optimism, noting that innovations were employing the power of the ocean while preserving its vitality. He lamented the loss of “beautiful sea forests,” calling ocean protection impossible to ignore. France's President Emmanuel Macron criticised countries that denied climate change and cut budgets for environmental action. He rejected the notion that climate change, biodiversity loss, or ocean issues were not scientifically established. He announced that the science was clear and facts were present, some governments would make strong decisions and mobilise the international community in the following days. A major focus of the week-long summit had been the push to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty, which aimed to enable conservation efforts in international waters. The forum served ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) in Nice, where over 50 world leaders were expected, and notably, the US administration had chosen not to send representatives. World leaders arrived in the French Riviera, ahead of a UN summit focused on ocean threats. The UN declared the situation an “ocean emergency,” and summit participants had been placed under pressure to deliver both funding and stronger protective measures for marine ecosystems. Despite wider geopolitical tensions, the conference aims to shift the tone from discussion to decisive action, especially on issues like deep-sea mining, plastic pollution, and unsustainable fishing. Approximately 50 heads of state and government had been expected to take part, including Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Argentina’s Javier Milei. France's President Emmanuel Macron travelled from Monaco on 08 June, where he participated in a pre-summit event aimed at raising private capital for ocean conservation. He was accompanied by a flotilla of vessels in a maritime parade and had toured an exhibition resembling the interior of a whale on the Promenade des Anglais. On the same day. France deployed around 5,000 police officers to Nice in preparation for the five-day event, given its significance and the number of attending scientists, business leaders, environmental activists, and expected peaceful protests. Delegations from Pacific Island Countries strongly emphasised for increased financial support to address the rising sea levels, marine pollution, and the depletion of their fisheries. The US, under President Donald Trump, opted not to send delegates, following his administration's controversial push to fast-track seabed mining in international waters. Conservationists warned that, unless attendees came prepared with “concrete proposals” rather than empty promises, a primary demand for adequate funding to meet the agreed goal of protecting 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030, progressing from the roughly eight per cent currently under any form of marine protection. ("World leaders head to French Riviera for UN summit on ocean 'emergency'," France24, 08 June 2025; Sertac Aktan, "Rift over oceans: Macron rebukes climate change deniers ahead of Nice summit," Euronews, 08 June 2025)