RAMOGE turns 50 and celebrates its commitment to protecting the Mediterranean.

A pioneering intergovernmental partnership among France, Italy, and the Principality of Monaco is highlighting a half-century of steadfast commitment to preserving the Mediterranean marine environment. As the RAMOGE (Saint-RAphaël;, MOnaco and GEnova) Agreement celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2026, the Secretariat announced a series of scientific, operational, institutional, and awareness-raising initiatives to reinforce its mission, particularly in light of latest challenges, notably biodiversity loss and pollution.

On May the 10th, 1976, RAMOGE kicked off by the strong will of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. The Agreement evolved then from a local initiative into a cornerstone hub of regional maritime conservation stretching from Marseille to La Spezia. Being the first tangible regional agreement for Mediterranean safeguarding, it promptly put into action the commitments taken a few months earlier by the contracting parties during the Convention of Barcelona (Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution, 16th February 1976).

Photo >> RAMOGE Secretariat together with strategic partners at the Monaco's Ministry of State (Monaco, February 2025) © Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna

On the 3rd March 2026, a special edition of the annual international photography competition, "RAMOGE - Man and the Sea" was launched, coinciding symbolically with World Wildlife Day, being addressed to both professional and amateur photographers to explore the profound bond between Human Beings and the Mediterranean Sea.

Conducted under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique - FIAP - and in collaboration with the Monte-Carlo Academy of Photographic Art - AAMC - this challenge aims to raise public awareness of the wealth and fragility of the Mediterranean marine environment.

Starting from the 28th May 2026 at the Stazione Marittima in Genoa (Italy), a travelling exhibition will retrace the milestones of these 50 years of RAMOGE's engagement, including prior achievements in:

• Joint Anti-Pollution Actions through the RAMOGEPOL plan, which strengthens cooperation to manage major marine incidents and prevent environmental risks;

• Scientific Exploration while encouraging research campaigns which have mapped ecosystems and detected deep-sea environmental impacts;

• Biodiversity Conservation focused on preserving Posidonia oceanica meadows and minimise the impact of human activities on coastal ecosystems.

On the 26th June 2026, a unique edition of the same exhibition will be inaugurated in the Principality of Monaco at the State Ministry of Monaco headquarters in the presence of the Sovereign Prince together with high-level representatives from the three contracting partners. An iconic celebratory conference will be held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to trace the 50 years of RAMOGE’s actions and scientific explorations, on the same day. On September 2026, the showroom will then be unveiled in Marseille (France).

On June the 22nd, 2026, a practical training will be organised by the Italian delegation in order to test and strengthen operational coordination n response to marine pollution, involving all authorities in charge of the RAMOGE zone. Finally, a technical meeting bringing together interested parties will be organised on the 25th June 2026, in the Principality, to strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation and to discuss legal and international issues related to marine pollution.

Photos >> The three Member States' operational maneuvers for pollution control, made available as part of the RAMOGEPOL 2024 training in Viareggio - from left to right: Nos Taurus (Italy - MASE), Princesse Gabriella (Monaco - DPMA),  Loire (France - Marine Nationale), CP 86 (Italy - Guardia Pirate) © Communication Office of the General Commander of the Coast Guard

At the end of July 2026, the RAMOGE Agreement will launch a new one-week scientific campaign on board the Alfred Merlin scientific vessel to the exploration of the deep areas of the Mediterranean Sea, in French, Italian and Monegasque waters, up to 500 meters deep.

In September 2026, a group of authors and experts from the three countries of

the RAMOGE Agreement will present to audience major advances, challenges and the latest issues about Seagrass Meadows conservation, as a crucial mission to keep alive Mediterranean marine habitats.

On the 4th December 2026, the award ceremony of RAMOGE's international photography competition will be held in the Principality, setting itself the target to raise public awareness about the protection of the sea, using human creativity and visual storytelling as cultural and informative drivers.

Photo >> Official launching of the 2026 "RAMOGE - Man and the Sea" international photography competition © RAMOGE Secretariat

RAMOGE's half-century 2026 celebration will therefore be an opportunity to put under the spotlight the major issues on which this key interstate Agreement operates, notably:

biodiversity preservation, with a focus on coastal species and deep ecosystems; fighting against marine pollution through RAMOGEPOL plan, a series of annual pollution simulation exercises, and aerial surveillance operations against illegal discharges; ocean literacy action to raise awareness between the general public and the users of the sea. ***

✒️ Maurice Abbati

• Strategic Communication Specialist, Editor in Chief, Journalist, Executive.

• Lecturer and Author in English in the field of Environmental Communication to foster Circular and Blue Economy