On February 25, 2025, the RAMOGE Agreement Commission met at the State Ministry of the Principality of Monaco for its 57th session, chaired by Yann BATTEFORT, First Counselor of the French Embassy in Monaco, replacing H.E. Mr. Jean D’HAUSSONVILLE. During this meeting, the French, Monegasque, and Italian delegations reviewed the 2023-2024 biennium and established the work program for 2025-2026. This period will be marked by major events, including the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) – to be held in Nice in June 2025 – and the 50th anniversary of the RAMOGE Agreement – signed on May 10, 1976 – for which a celebration program will be proposed to the public.
The delegations were honored by the visit of Vice Admiral Christophe LUCAS, Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean. He praised the work of the Commission, calling it a “living work” for the protection of the Mediterranean. In his presence, the presidency of the Commission for the 2025-2026 biennium was officially handed over to Rear Admiral Francesco TOMAS, head of the Italian delegation and Director General of the Directorate for the Protection of Biodiversity and the Sea of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
The following day, to mark the opening of this strategic biennium, a conference was organized at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, highlighting two activities of the Agreement in front of about a hundred participants, including students from the Albert 1er High School in Monaco and the International School of Nice.
During the first session, French, Italian, and Monegasque scientists who participated in the 2022 deep-sea exploration campaign presented the main results. It was also an opportunity to announce the next exploration campaign, scheduled for autumn 2025, in partnership with the DRASSM (Department of Underwater and Underwater Archaeological Research) of the French Ministry of Culture. Deputy Director Frédéric LEROY highlighted the DRASSM’s expertise in deep-sea exploration, as well as the ship “Alfred Merlin,” which will be used during this mission. Moored at the port of Lympia in Nice next summer, this ship will also host a RAMOGE awareness day, organized on the sidelines of the UNOC.
The second session was dedicated to the awarding of prizes for the 2024 edition of the RAMOGE international photography competition, entitled “Man and the Sea.” Under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), this competition was a great success, with the participation of 368 photographers from 51 countries and the submission of 2,170 photographs divided into four themes. The prizes were awarded to the winners present or connected via videoconference, in the presence of Mr. Marc LECOURT, Honorary Consul General of Slovenia in Monaco, and Mr. Jean KERWAT, Honorary Consul of Croatia. The international scope of the competition and its contribution to raising awareness about marine conservation were highlighted. The next edition of the photography competition will take place in 2026, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Agreement.
With its ambitious prospects, the RAMOGE Agreement continues to affirm its commitment to the preservation of the marine environment in the Mediterranean, strengthening scientific cooperation and raising public awareness of environmental issues.
