Latest news with #BEFF
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Blue Economy Forum: Macron rebukes climate change deniers
Hosted by Prince Albert of Monaco, the final day of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) closed with leaders pledging their support and calling for global responsibility to protect the oceans. William, Prince of Wales, said the challenge of protecting the world's oceans was "like none that we have faced before" and that the clock is ticking: "I believe that urgency and optimism have the power to bring about the action needed to change the course of history. I'm an optimist because as the founder of the Earthshot Prize, I see the incredible examples of the ideas, innovations and technologies that are harnessing the power of the ocean whilst protecting its vitality." "Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts, the base of our oceans is simply heart-breaking for many. It is an urgent wake-up call to just what is going on in our oceans, but it can no longer be a matter of out of sight, out of mind. The need to act to protect our ocean is now in full view, as ever," Prince William added. Meanwhile, in his closing speech, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised countries that deny climate change and cut budgets on this matter. 'We've been hearing that, basically, climate change, the threat to biodiversity, the issue of the oceans, all of that, is a matter of opinion," Macron said. He continued: "I'm going to tell you: no, we don't have the right to do that because it's not an opinion, but it's scientifically established." The French president also hinted at potential developments in the near future: "We have a duty to mobilise because the science is clear and the facts are there. There is no inevitability. And so, with a few governments, we will in the coming days make strong decisions and mobilise the international community." A major focus of the weeklong summit was the push to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which would enable conservation in international waters. The forum is the precursor to the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) in Nice, where more than 50 world leaders are expected to attend. The US administration will not send representatives. On Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June, citizens are called to the polls to vote on five abrogative or repeal referenda - they are so called because they decide whether to retain or repeal a law or decree that is part of the legislature and already implemented. They coincide with local elections in several Italian regions and municipalities. The referenda, proposed by trade unions and civic organisations, touch on issues that have generated political debate in recent years, in particular the labour market reform, mainly of the 2016 Jobs Act, and migrant reception and integration policies. The first four issues are related to the job topic and concern increasing protection of workers, small enterprises and their obligations towards employees, short-term contracts, and the responsibility of clients towards sub-contracting parties and employees' safety. The fifth question concerns the period of time necessary to be eligible for Italian citizenship, proposing to reduce it from 10 to 5 years. Government parties opposed the referenda, with some politicians urging citizens not to go to the polls. Analysts say the vote is a test for Giorgia Meloni's executive. For the referenda to be valid, a quorum must be reached: at least 50% plus one of all eligible voters must participate. According to the advocacy group International Democracy Community, the referenda can be characterised as a citizens' initiative: "The referendum questions were proposed through a bottom-up approach, and did not come from Parliament. Members of the Europa+ party launched the initiative on the citizenship question, whilst the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) has been the initiator of the Jobs Act ones, with support from the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement, and the Green & Left Alliance." Voting is taking place from 07:00 to 23:00 on Sunday and from 07:00 to 15:00 on Monday. At 12 noon, with almost all sections verified, turnout stood at just over 7%, raising concerns about a successful outcome. In 2011, the last time the quorum was reached in a referendum, 11.6% had voted by that time.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Supporting free science is a 'political and ethical' duty, Macron says
STORY: :: French President Emmanuel Macron makes a firm stand against skepticism towards climate science :: Monaco :: June 8, 2025 'For several years now, we've been hearing that, 'basically, climate change, the threat to biodiversity, the problem of the oceans, all of that is a matter of opinion. In fact, we could do without it. Besides, we're not entirely sure'. And I'm even noticing that some people are cutting funding to continue research in this area. I'm going to tell you, 'no', we don't have the right to do that because it's not an opinion, it's scientifically established.' // "And so it is a political, ethical, and scientific duty that we continue to fund free, open, and cooperative science, to continue to understand, research, and base our decisions on this science." Monaco hosted the two-day Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), a prelude to the week-long U.N. Ocean Conference in nearby Nice, which starts on Monday (June 9). The BEFF sought to outline financial advantages in protecting the oceans. Macron spoke to an audience that included Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and Britain's Prince William. He underlined efforts to promote sustainable fishing, decarbonized maritime transport, and green tourism. This week's U.N. conference aims to get more countries to ratify a treaty on protecting ocean biodiversity which currently lacks sufficient signatories to come into force.
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
‘Think big' to save the ocean, William tells world leaders
William was speaking at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on ocean preservation at the Grimaldi Forum in the principality on Sunday. The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending the forum were 'united by our deep connection to the ocean and our concern for its safety'. William, wearing a navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the 'clock is ticking' to meet the target agreed at the UN Biodiversity Summit in 2022 aiming to protect at least 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030. World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. Giving a speech at the heads of state and government session on the final day of the forum, William said: 'Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the people and communities who depend most upon them. 'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. 'We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change – both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn this tide.' Speaking to an auditorium of 1,800 people, the prince added: 'Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking. 'For many, it is an urgent wake up call to just what is going on in our oceans. But it can no longer be a matter of 'out of sight, out of mind'. 'Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. 'Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance. 'For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world'.' William was recorded in conversation with Sir David at the Royal Festival Hall in May, with the veteran broadcaster saying he hopes his new film Ocean, released on Sunday, will galvanise society into action 'before we destroy this great treasure.' In their meeting, the future king chatted with his natural history hero about their shared optimism for future discoveries in the planet's seas, despite the threats they face. With a shared passion for protecting the natural world, the prince and the veteran broadcaster have supported each other in their missions to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges the planet faces. In his Monaco speech, William said Sir David's film 'makes the most compelling argument for immediate action I have ever seen'. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'There should be no doubt that this speech is The Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. The world is watching. 'This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.' As he arrived at the forum, a journalist shouted to the Prince asking whether he was excited to go to Brazil, to which William replied: 'Yes'. William also met finalists, winners and partners of the Earthshot Prize – a global environmental award of which he is founder and president. Kensington Palace said the finalists and winners had showcased 'innovative solutions that have the potential to reverse the damage caused to the oceans and that can preserve it for future generations'. William met Sam Teicher from Coral Vita, a 2021 winner, which works to restore coral reefs by growing coral on land to replant in oceans and Jennifer Koepke from WildAid, a 2023 winner, which scales marine enforcement to end illegal fishing and strengthen ocean conservation. William also met 2022 finalist Nick Wilson, whose entry was the Great Bubble Barrier, which works to prevent plastic pollution by intercepting waste before it reaches the ocean, and 2024 finalist Nicholas Hill from Coast 4C, which connects investment in coastal agriculture with conservation through the farming of regenerative seaweed. Each year five winners are awarded the Earthshot Prize from a shortlist of 15. The BEFF is organised by the government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, with support from France and Costa Rica. The forum is a UN Ocean Conference special event and aims to contribute to the implementation of sustainable development goal 14 to 'conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development'. France is hosting the UN Ocean Conference from June 9 to June 13 in nearby Nice. The King is due to host Mr Macron on a state visit by the French leader and his wife Brigitte Macron from July 8-10. The French president will stay at Windsor Castle and be hosted at a state banquet at the historic Berkshire royal residence during his stay.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Prince William calls for urgent action to protect oceans
"The ocean is under enormous threat, but it can revive itself. But, only if together, we act now," Prince William, Prince of Wales said during the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, June 8, 2025. REUTERS/ Manon Cruz/ Pool LONDON — Britain's Prince William on Sunday called on world leaders and businesses to take urgent action to protect the planet's oceans, saying it was a challenge "like none we have faced before." Speaking ahead of the UN Ocean Conference, which begins in France on Monday, William said rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing were putting pressure on fragile ecosystems and the people who depend on them. "What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes," William, heir to the British throne, told the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco. "Put simply: the ocean is under enormous threat, but it can revive itself. But, only if together, we act now," he told the meeting of investors and policymakers. This week's UN conference aims to get more countries to ratify a treaty on protecting ocean biodiversity which currently lacks sufficient signatories to come into force. William addressed Sunday's gathering in his role as founder of the Earthshot Prize, launched by the prince in 2020 with the aim of making huge strides to tackle environmental problems within a decade. On Saturday, William's office released a video of him talking to David Attenborough, one of the world's best-known nature broadcasters, about his latest documentary "Ocean" which examines the plight of the seas. "The thing which I am appalled by, when I first saw the shots that were taken for this film are what we have done to the deep ocean floor," Attenborough told him. "If you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms." — Reuters
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
‘Think big' to save the ocean, William tells world leaders
William was speaking at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on ocean preservation at the Grimaldi Forum in the principality on Sunday. The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending the forum were 'united by our deep connection to the ocean and our concern for its safety'. William, wearing a navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the 'clock is ticking' to meet the target agreed at the UN Biodiversity Summit in 2022 aiming to protect at least 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030. World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. Giving a speech at the heads of state and government session on the final day of the forum, William said: 'Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the people and communities who depend most upon them. 'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. 'We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change – both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn this tide.' From left, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and The Prince of Wales (Manon Cruz/PA) Speaking to an auditorium of 1,800 people, the prince added: 'Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking. 'For many, it is an urgent wake up call to just what is going on in our oceans. But it can no longer be a matter of 'out of sight, out of mind'. 'Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. 'Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance. 'For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world'.' William and Kate meeting Sir David Attenborough in 2021 (PA) William was recorded in conversation with Sir David at the Royal Festival Hall in May, with the veteran broadcaster saying he hopes his new film Ocean, released on Sunday, will galvanise society into action 'before we destroy this great treasure.' In their meeting, the future king chatted with his natural history hero about their shared optimism for future discoveries in the planet's seas, despite the threats they face. With a shared passion for protecting the natural world, the prince and the veteran broadcaster have supported each other in their missions to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges the planet faces. In his Monaco speech, William said Sir David's film 'makes the most compelling argument for immediate action I have ever seen'. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'There should be no doubt that this speech is The Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. The world is watching. 'This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.' As he arrived at the forum, a journalist shouted to the Prince asking whether he was excited to go to Brazil, to which William replied: 'Yes'. The Prince of Wales arriving at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco (Manon Cruz/PA) William also met finalists, winners and partners of the Earthshot Prize – a global environmental award of which he is founder and president. Kensington Palace said the finalists and winners had showcased 'innovative solutions that have the potential to reverse the damage caused to the oceans and that can preserve it for future generations'. William met Sam Teicher from Coral Vita, a 2021 winner, which works to restore coral reefs by growing coral on land to replant in oceans and Jennifer Koepke from WildAid, a 2023 winner, which scales marine enforcement to end illegal fishing and strengthen ocean conservation. William also met 2022 finalist Nick Wilson, whose entry was the Great Bubble Barrier, which works to prevent plastic pollution by intercepting waste before it reaches the ocean, and 2024 finalist Nicholas Hill from Coast 4C, which connects investment in coastal agriculture with conservation through the farming of regenerative seaweed. Each year five winners are awarded the Earthshot Prize from a shortlist of 15. The BEFF is organised by the government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, with support from France and Costa Rica. The forum is a UN Ocean Conference special event and aims to contribute to the implementation of sustainable development goal 14 to 'conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development'. France is hosting the UN Ocean Conference from June 9 to June 13 in nearby Nice. The King is due to host Mr Macron on a state visit by the French leader and his wife Brigitte Macron from July 8-10. The French president will stay at Windsor Castle and be hosted at a state banquet at the historic Berkshire royal residence during his stay.
