Washington, DC - To mark this year’s fifth anniversary of the admission of the Principality of Monaco as an observer to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Embassy of Monaco is spearheading a forum - free and open to the public - in the framework of the OAS Policy Roundtables in an area of special interest to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and central to the agenda of his eponymous Foundation: the preservation of the oceans and marine conservation. The forum called Our Shared Treasure; An analysis of challenges and successful practices for ocean conservation will take place on Monday, October 26th from 3:00pm-5:00pm in the OAS’s Hall of the Americas and will be conducted in English and Spanish, and will be streamed live via webcast at www.oas.org

Opening remarks will be presented by His Excellency Luis Almagro, the Secretary General of the OAS with closing remarks from His Excellency Nestor Mendez, the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS. Special video presentations from National Geographic and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will accompany a personalised message from His Serene Highness.

 “I am delighted that the OAS is turning its attention to the key subject of the oceans and their future…we are aware of the ills that are impacting our oceans…it is imperative that all stakeholders take action, as I have been doing for many years with the Monaco Government and my Foundation. And it is imperative that American nations and the organisation which brings them together take on their responsibilities. I know that many of them have begun to do so, some with a determination to which I would like to pay tribute,” said Prince Albert.

 Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic’s Explorer-in-Residence will discuss the current state of the oceans then moderate a high level dialogue on policy solutions with Catherine A. Novelli, the US Department of State’s Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment (on global ocean policy); Richard M. Huber, Chief, Sustainable Communities, Hazard Risk, and Climate Change, Department of Sustainable Development, OAS (on Caribbean Ocean Governance and the valuation of ecosystem goods and services derived from the Caribbean Sea); Emily Woglom, Vice President, Conservation Policy and Programs, Ocean Conservancy (on plastics pollution); Nakul Saran, Vice President, Rare Conservation (on sustainable fisheries); OCEANA’s President, Jim Simon (on MPAs), and Dr. Carole Baldwin, Curator of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian (on the Smithsonian’s Deep Reef Observation Project).

 “The Embassy of Monaco as a Permanent Observer and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA are delighted to collaborate on “Our Shared Treasure” with the OAS and National Geographic for ocean conservation. The Principality has long been committed to the preservation of the world’s oceans and we proudly support the OAS’ efforts to protect the marine ecosystems of its Member states. It is important to remember that humankind is only one of the many species on this “blue” planet, and we should use our intelligence to be its defenders and guardians. The goal of this forum is to present tangible good governance examples and opportunities and hopefully serve as the launchpad for an Inter-American Task Force for the Oceans at the OAS,” said Her Excellency Maguy Maccario Doyle, who is Monaco’s Permanent Observer to the OAS, as well as the Principality’s Ambassador to the United States and Canada.

"The ocean is what links all of the Americas. It is vital to our health, food security, and economy. We need a healthy ocean for a healthy American continent," said Sala, the award-winning founder of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project.