Malta’s Ocean Governance Ambassador meets Prince Albert II of Monaco

Malta’s Ocean Governance Ambassador and national delegate for the CIESM, Prof. Alan Deidun, recently within the latest CIESM Board meeting held at the Oceanographic Institute in Paris.

All the 23 CIESM Member States are represented through such a Board, which decides upon strategic issues related to the Commission's operations. As per standard praxis, the Congress was opened by the CIESM President Prince Albert II of Monaco, with whom Prof. Deidun had the opportunity to discuss in detail Malta’s potential contribution to future CIESM-related initiatives as well as to relay a letter from Malta’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Tourism, Dr Ian Borg.

This will be the last CIESM Board meeting featuring Prince Albert II at its helm, given that His Serene Highness has decided to relinquish his role as Acting President. The National Delegates at this latest CIESM Board meeting in fact delineated the protocol to be followed in nominating candidates for the post of CIESM President, with the most competent candidate expected to be selected by an ad hoc committee over the next 12 months.

Mr Robert Calcagno, a senior scientist, has been nominated by Monaco to serve as Interim President and Prince Albert II of Monaco will assume the role of Honorary President.

The Commission, known through the English acronym ICSEM (International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea) was founded in 1919, under the Presidency of Prince Albert I (the great, great grandfather of Prince Albert II), with headquarters in Monaco, having grown from the eight founding countries of its origin to 23 Member States today.

These support a network of several thousand marine researchers, applying the latest scientific tools to better understand, monitor and protect (see activity map below) a fast-changing, highly impacted Mediterranean Sea. Structured in six committees and various taskforces, CIESM runs expert workshops, collaborative programs and regular congresses, delivering authoritative, independent advice to national and international agencies. CIESM was created to promote international research in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas.

CIESM represents a rare forum for the exchange of ideas and scientific findings across a particularly sensitive, often conflictual region. The comprehensive reorganisation currently being implemented at the CIESM will entail the appointment of a Scientific Council as an umbrella structure formally encompassing all six scientific committees as well as the morphing of the Advisory Board into the Executive Council.

Maltese researchers have been actively participating within CIESM Congresses ever since their inception, publishing an extensive volume of research within the corresponding Proceedings.

A CIESM Congress was also hosted by the University of Malta in the mid-90s. Malta’s continued participation within the CIESM is guaranteed by Malta’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Further information about the CIESM and its mission can be gleaned from their website.