Charting a New Course: Global Solutions for Ocean Finance

Inside BEFF Monaco 2025: Catalyzing Capital for the Blue Economy

June 20, 2025 - As the blue economy continues to gain traction as a global development priority, the Blue Economy Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco brought together influential voices in finance, policy, and sustainability. They confronted a critical question: how do we finance the future of our oceans?

The high-level panel session, “Looking Forward: Global Solutions for Ocean Finance,” kicked off discussions with a clear purpose: mobilizing capital at scale for sustainable ocean governance. Set in the Grimaldi Forum, this session united leaders from the United Nations, multilateral development banks, and regional public institutions. Together, they explored bold, practical financial methods for advancing the blue economy.

A Global Alliance for Ocean Investment

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, began with urgency: “A healthy ocean is not a luxury—it is a necessity for climate stability, biodiversity, and economic resilience.” She emphasized the need to align capital flows with SDG 14 and broader ecological goals.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the UN Global Compact, echoed this sentiment. She spoke about embedding ocean-positive strategies into business and capital markets: “This is no longer about philanthropy—it’s about systems change.”

Scalable Capital for Blue Innovation

Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), outlined the Bank’s commitment to blue financing. He revealed €2 billion allocated last year alone to ocean-linked investments. This funding covered everything from traditional infrastructure—like coastal protection in Romania—to innovative solutions such as floating farms, marine energy, and sea-monitoring technologies for offshore wind farms developed by an Irish startup.

The EIB's Clean Oceans Initiative, created in collaboration with other public banks, is working to reduce marine pollution while expanding startup financing. This approach is a key tool for unlocking innovation and growth in the sector.

James Scriven, CEO of IDB Invest, discussed integrating nature-positive investments across the Amazon basin and marine ecosystems. He highlighted nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Scriven stressed the importance of blended finance, referring to the IDB’s collaboration with FinDev Canada to develop blue bonds. The Amazon Finance Network, a coalition of 50 financial institutions, is pioneering new investment models to support freshwater and ocean health at scale.

New financial instruments—such as blue bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and conservation-linked loans—are emerging as essential mechanisms in ocean investment. Blended finance combines public, philanthropic, or concessional capital with private investment. This strategy reduces risks and mobilizes commercial funding into areas once seen as too high-risk or low-return. Blue bonds, modeled after green bonds, are debt instruments issued to fund marine and freshwater conservation efforts. They address sustainable fisheries, coastal resilience, and pollution reduction.

These tools not only yield environmental and social benefits but also offer investors structured, risk-managed entry points into high-impact sectors. They create access to new asset silos, such as ocean health, marine technology, and regenerative aquaculture. Demand for innovation in these spaces is becoming essential for future-proofing economies and ecosystems. For institutional investors, this convergence of impact, returns, and thematic exposure makes such instruments increasingly appealing as the market shifts towards sustainable, real-economy solutions.

Public Banks as Catalysts

Rémy Rioux, Chair of Finance in Common (FiCS), highlighted the rising influence of public banks—now over 500 strong—in driving ocean finance. Supported by institutions like the World Bank, this coalition aims to standardize impact measurement tools. This effort ensures that financial flows are aligned with clear environmental and social outcomes.

Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director of the World Bank, candidly addressed the challenges ahead: “SDG 14 remains one of the most underfunded SDGs. To close the gap, we must mobilize over $150 billion in financing.” He stressed the necessity of financial innovation and scalable, de-risked capital pipelines to attract private sector investors. If managed properly, ocean finance could unlock new jobs, support small island and coastal economies, and become a foundation for sustainable economic growth.

National Innovations and Local Wisdom

National leadership is shaping the frontier of blue finance. Countries are pioneering bold policies and targeted investments. Chile has taken significant steps by launching the Chile Nature Fund and becoming the first nation to issue a blue sovereign bond. Germany followed suit, creating a $3.5 billion Conservation Fund aimed at scaling nature-based solutions. Meanwhile, Norway is investing in international marine protection, committing $1.7 million to fund fisheries and coral reef restoration in Indonesia.

In Vietnam, efforts are underway to advance technology transfer, enabling the creation of a global maritime database to enhance data-driven governance. Cabo Verde's legislation tackles coastal erosion by creating economic alternatives while safeguarding coastal livelihoods. Collectively, these examples illuminate how national strategies can act as vital catalysts in the global shift toward sustainable ocean governance.

Moreover, several speakers emphasized the importance of including indigenous communities. Their traditional knowledge is invaluable in informing sustainable practices and restoring marine ecosystems in ways that modern science has yet to uncover.

From Dialogue to Deployment

Moderator Robyn Curnow bridged the gap between macro and local perspectives. She guided a discussion that highlighted the evolution of ocean finance architecture—from policy instruments to private markets. The consensus was clear: while the frameworks for ocean finance are beginning to develop, real progress necessitates coordination, ambition, and unrelenting implementation.

The BEFF Monaco panel asserted that the ocean financing gap is a challenge we can solve—if we choose to act decisively. By aligning the goals of finance, science, and integrity, the world can transition from fragmented commitments to a unified, scalable system of blue capital.

Conclusion: Bridging the Financing Gap

In a time when the urgency of climate action is more pressing than ever, initiatives like BEFF Monaco 2025 are critical. The insights and innovative approaches shared during this forum provide a roadmap. They can guide efforts towards achieving sustainable ocean governance and robust blue economies. If we ensure collaboration among diverse stakeholders, we can foster resilient ocean environments and thriving communities.

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