Monaco, the world’s second-smallest independent state, plans to showcase its efforts for sustainable marine development during the 2012 Yeosu Expo opening May 12, organizers said.

Under the theme “The Historical Commitment of the Principality of Monaco to Protecting the Environment, Seas and Oceans,” the country’s pavilion will include the story of the principality’s programs, such as the Monaco Blue Initiative, to encourage sustainable marine development, they said.

“Monaco has contributed to environmental activities for three centuries, and we are very honored to share our extensive experience and knowledge in the field,” said Catherine Fautrier, commissioner general of the Monaco Pavilion.

She said the Monaco Pavilion will invite visitors to submerge themselves into today’s marine ecosystem through a unique deep-sea video experience, which they hope will stimulate awareness.

At the end of the Pavilion tour, visitors will be invited to sign the Blue Ribbon Charter on a touch screen, to demonstrate the individual wishes to be actively engaged in protecting the marine environment.

“The Monaco Pavilion is intended to warn people about the critical situation and the importance of everyone being involved to protect our environment,” said Fautrier.

The facade of the Monaco Pavilion will be made of recyclable materials, and is intended to symbolize Monaco’s commitment to protecting the seas and oceans.

The Monaco Pavilion has also revealed its logo and mascot.

Organizers said the logo was inspired by the Mediterranean, which edges the Principality’s coastline. The mascot “Monacus” was inspired by the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus), of which there are only 600 remaining in the wild, they added.

This protected, endangered species is the symbol Monaco and the Principality has chosen to illustrate the importance of the protection of biodiversity in the Mediterranean, they said.

For more information, visit: www.expo2012monaco.com.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)