JUBILEE
In 2006, Prince Albert created the Prince
Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The foundation
focuses on three main challenges: climate
change and renewable energy development;
combating the loss of biodiversity; and water
management (improving universal access to
clean water).
Continuing in the same vein to highlight global
warming, on April 16, 2006, Prince Albert travelled
to the North Pole by dogsled.
A year later in March 2, 2007 — Prince Albert
presided over the opening ceremony
in Paris of International Polar Year, a research
program with a focus on the Polar
Regions involving 50,000 scientists from
63 countries.
Only two years into his reign Prince Albert
was already being recognized globally for
his indefatigable work to protect the environment
for future generations. Thus, on
January 28, 2008 — The Sovereign Prince
is named as one of the United Nations Environment
Programme’s (UNEP) «Champions
of the Earth».
PRINCE ALBERT II —
THE POLAR EXPLORER
January 5–14, 2009 — Prince Albert II
completes an expedition to the South
Pole evaluating climate impact on Antarctica
along the way. He is the only head
of state to have visited both poles. For his
work on climate change research and environmental
conservation efforts on December
14, 2015 — Prince Albert is presented
with the 2015 Global Advocate Award by
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
At last the world acts and on 22 April
2016 Monaco signed the Paris Climate
Accord.
In keeping with the spirit of the accord the
Principality of Monaco has set itself a target
of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
To that end, it has committed to cutting its
greenhouse gas emissions by 50 % by 2030
from their 1990 levels. Following which the
National Pact for Energy Transition was
launched in early 2018 to fulfil the objective
of a low-carbon Principality by 2050. And
there is another landmark event to record —
the celebration of a centenary. 100 institutions
have now joined the National Pact for
Energy Transition.
OCEAN GALAS
On the initiative of the sovereign and
the Prince Albert II Foundation, and
with the support of the businessman
Milutin Gatsby, the first Ocean Gala was organized
on September 28, 2017 on the Terraces of
the Monte-Carlo Opera.
The Gala helps to raise funds and awareness
to promote the sustainable management
of marine and land resources. The
gala now takes place each September during
the Monaco Yacht Show, Europe’s biggest
in-water display of large yachts — 4.5
billion euros of superyachts on display.
Guests of the Ocean Galas have included
Robert Redford, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom,
Leonardo DiCaprio, Uma Thurman, Nicole
Kidman and many others.
Moreover, this year the event has achieved
a new level and became an international
gala. The Global Ocean Gala presented by
Chopard was held on February 6th 2020 in
Hollywood where Prince Albert II of Monaco
received a Lifetime Achievement Award
for his leadership and commitment to the
Planet and Ocean conservation. One cannot
miss the thread that inexorably travels
across time and links it with the present.
Grace Kelly, Prince Albert’s mother, came
to Monaco from Hollywood and found her
destiny and home here, while today Monaco
goes back to Hollywood with a green
initiative to protect the Oceans led by the
«Green Prince» Albert II.
THE DIPLOMATIC PRINCE
As regards its international presence,
the Monegasque Government implements
the policies of H.S.H. the
Sovereign Prince, who is the chief advocate
of Monaco to the world, particularly through
his official visits and ambitious positions in a
community of nations confronted with important
challenges.
The Principality of Monaco is a full member
of the United Nations, and has its own
embassies abroad, including 137 honorary
consulates in 83 countries. Monaco counts
15 embassies accredited to twenty-eight
states. Monaco takes part in many international
conferences. The 140 different nationalities
who live in harmony in Monaco and
work to develop the country help to make
its position known.
Monaco’s Royal welcome is extended also
by Princess Charlène who is active hosting
events to welcome global heads of state,
such as China’s President Xi Jinping and his
wife, Peng Liyuan. In March 2017, Xi made
the first ever state visit to Monaco by a Chinese
president.
The most noticeable progression of Monaco’s
influence is due to Prince Albert II of Monaco’s
strong commitment to issues of sustainable
development and cooperation on the international
scene.
MONEGASQUE
PARADISE
Fifteen years into the stable, affluent
reign of Prince Albert II with the
world in political, social and economic
flux in every direction you look,
the constitutional monarchy and steady
governance of Monaco with its reputation
as a centre for philanthropy and ecological
responsibility looks very reassuring —
all the while maintaining its reputation
as a Mediterranean paradise for tourists
and residents alike, and a magnet for the
rich and famous in every walk of life. The
Principality is enriched by its residents,
who represent at least 140 nationalities.
French, Italian and British nationals make
up the majority of the foreigners resident
in Monaco.
TWO FAIRY TALES
It’s not easy to follow the fairy tale of
Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, royalty
combined with the pinnacle of beauty,
style and Hollywood. You can only do it by
creating a fairy tale just as compelling — Royalty
with beauty and style remaining a constant
with two Olympians joined in marriage
as standard bearers of the Principality. Two
gorgeous twin children, including a princely
heir complete the picture.
There are many accomplishments and victories
to record over Prince Albert’s first
fifteen years at the helm — but on a personal
level, surely his family must give him
an incomparable sense of accomplishment.
Long live Prince Albert and a toast to the
next 15 years!
Hello Monaco Spring–Summer 2020 / 47
www.hellomonaco.ru