IAEA and Prince Albert II Foundation Partner to Address Ocean Acidification and Climate Solutions

Monaco-based collaboration to strengthen global ocean conservation, expand research, and support training initiatives.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (PA2F) have formalized a partnership to advance research and solutions addressing ocean acidification and ocean-based climate strategies. Signed by PA2F Vice President Olivier Wenden and IAEA Deputy Director General Najat Mokhtar, the partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between the organizations, focusing on improving scientific capacity to tackle oceanic challenges globally.

Ocean acidification, driven by the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, significantly impacts marine ecosystems, particularly affecting organisms like corals and mollusks. It also creates complex interplays with ocean warming and oxygen loss, presenting challenges for the survival of marine species. The IAEA’s Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC) has been at the forefront of promoting international cooperation in addressing these effects through data sharing, best practices, and training, especially in regions with limited resources for ocean conservation.

“We are excited to continue working with the Foundation to provide access to essential data and research to understand and address ocean acidification,” said Mokhtar. “Our efforts will help strengthen the knowledge and tools needed for IAEA Member States to take impactful action.”

PA2F has prioritized ocean health since launching the Ocean Change – Impacts and Solutions Initiative (OACIS) in 2013, working with Monaco’s local institutions, including the Oceanographic Museum, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, and Villefranche Oceanographic Laboratory. Wenden noted, “This collaboration will provide much-needed resources and training to support scientists worldwide as they study ocean acidification and develop regionally effective solutions.”

The partnership will include co-hosted training courses, expert meetings, and joint events to increase awareness and enhance scientific collaboration. Key gatherings, such as the Monaco Ocean Week and the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled for June 2025 in Nice and Monaco, will serve as platforms for sharing the latest research and actionable solutions with policymakers, environmental managers, and other stakeholders.

Additional areas of cooperation will explore solutions to plastic pollution, aligning with the IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics initiative and PA2F’s commitment to combat marine plastic waste.

In November 2024, both organizations will jointly host an International Winter School on Ocean Acidification and Multiple Stressors at the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco, offering researchers an immersive educational experience focused on the effects of ocean stressors and their implications for marine life.

Ocean acidification remains a priority under Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for enhanced global efforts to minimize its impacts on marine biodiversity. This partnership aims to expand research capacities worldwide and enable tangible advancements in ocean-based climate solutions.