Ismaili Imamat and Focused on Nature partner with Mission Neptune to support the protection of the Ocean

Paris, France, 11 June 2026 - The Ismaili Imamat and Focused on Nature (FON) joined partners in Paris this week for the official inauguration of Mission Neptune, a new global initiative launched at last year's UN Ocean Conference in Nice under the patronage of the President of the French Republic and in support of the European Ocean Pact.

Mission Neptune brings together partners from across sectors to advance ocean exploration, observation and science-based governance. By bringing together scientific programmes, research fleets, data infrastructures and outreach capabilities, it seeks to connect ocean discovery with informed decision-making and collective action.

Structured around a set of priority scientific challenges – including deep-sea biodiversity, seamounts, blue carbon, marine genetic resources, digital twins, polar regions and upwelling systems – the Mission seeks to  contribute to the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and to the development of new marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas.

Prince Hussain Aga Khan, founder of Focused on Nature and a founding patron of Mission Neptune, and Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, participated in the inaugural Neptune Forum held at the Museum of Natural History on World Ocean Day. 

Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Prince Hussain highlighted the importance of paying attention to the issues of environmental protection, as he reminded the audience that “Whilst we once needed nature to live, nature now depends entirely on us merely to survive”.

The partnership with Mission Neptune follows on from the agreement signed between the Ismaili Imamat and the French Republic in July 2025 to cooperate on a range of issues including environmental protection and the fight against climate change.