Monaco to Host the 3rd Ocean Space Forum on 2 July 2026

The Prince’s Government, in partnership with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and Prométhée Earth Intelligence, is organising the 3rd Ocean Space Forum, which will take place on Thursday 2 July 2026 at the Rainier III Auditorium, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince.

Led within the Prince’s Government by the Monaco Office for Outer Space Affairs (BAS) , this event reflects the Principality’s commitment to promoting the use of space technologies in support of ocean protection and climate action.

A Summit at the Heart of Today’s Challenges

At the crossroads of ocean, climate and space-related issues, the Ocean Space Forum aims to strengthen dialogue between public policymakers, international organisations, scientific, industrial and academic stakeholders, and representatives of the space sector. Through conferences, thematic round tables and dedicated discussion sessions, the event will highlight the growing role of space technologies in advancing the understanding, protection and sustainable management of the ocean. 

Earth observation satellites, space-based services, maritime surveillance systems and emerging capabilities from the space sector now constitute essential tools for improving our understanding of the effects of climate change on the ocean, supporting conservation policies, contributing to the decarbonisation of maritime activities and strengthening the resilience of coastal and island communities.

A Forum Supporting the Momentum of the Space4Ocean Alliance

The 2026 edition also forms part of the momentum of the Space4Ocean (S4O) Alliance, of which the Prince’s Government is a founding member. Officially launched during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice in June 2025, this international initiative seeks to encourage the mobilisation of space capabilities in support of ocean preservation by fostering cooperation between public institutions, international organisations and scientific stakeholders. The Ocean Space Forum will therefore provide a valuable framework for consolidating this momentum and contributing to the development of practical, accessible and operational solutions.

A Global Ecosystem Represented

This event benefits from the participation of numerous leading organisations, reflecting its international reach. These include major institutions such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Space agencies from several continents will be represented, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Maldives Space Research Organisation and the Senegalese Space Studies Agency.

The Forum will also bring together scientific and academic stakeholders, including the Institute for Peace and Development of Université Côte d’Azur and the Université de Bretagne Occidentale, as well as representatives of the private sector and innovation ecosystem, including Prométhée Earth Intelligence, ACRI-ST, Orbital EOS, Telespazio, Grogenics and Astrolabes Conseil.

Finally, the participation of the Government of the French Republic, ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and Eurisy — the European network promoting the use of space-based solutions for public policies, territories and society — confirms the Forum’s strong links with European and Mediterranean environmental and space policy networks.

Programme

The Forum will be structured around three main themes, addressed through plenary sessions and round-table discussions:
•    the climate crisis and its challenges for the ocean (climate resilience, maritime emissions and adaptation)
•    ocean governance and the rule of law (maritime surveillance, international legal frameworks and the conservation of marine resources)
•    technological opportunities (disruptive space and ocean technologies, international cooperation and access to data)

The programme will also include networking opportunities, a dedicated area for space-sector companies and an exhibition at the intersection of space and ocean issues, organised with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), Monaco City Hall and the Côte d’Azur Observatory (OCA).
All conferences and round tables will be conducted in English.

Practical Information

• Date: Thursday 2 July 2026
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Venue: Rainier III Auditorium, Boulevard Louis II, 98000 Monaco
• Admission: Free of charge, subject to prior registration
• Event website

The Monaco Office for Outer Space Affairs, established by Sovereign Ordinance on 2 August 2021, operates under the authority of the Digital Transition Office. It is managed by astrophysicist Mr Olivier Minazzoli, under the direction of Mr Christophe Pierre. The Office oversees the development of space-related economic activities in Monaco and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, ensures the Principality’s representation within the relevant international bodies and its exchanges with foreign counterparts.