Day: 23 May 2018

Presided over by Prince Albert, the second Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean will take place on Wednesday, September 26, on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show.

This important event will take place in the presence of international artists and philanthropists committed to the protection of the Ocean, which is today seriously threatened by human activity.

The Monte-Carlo Gala aims to meet the challenge of a sustainable Ocean, for the next generation and for our Planet’s future.

This event is organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Milutin Gatsby, Global Fundraising Chairman, with the support of the Monaco Yacht Show, the Oceanographic Institute, the Yacht Club of Monaco, the Société des Bains de Mer and Monaco Private Label, in order to support the Foundation’s marine conservation initiatives.

On the programme of this prestigious evening on the Terraces of the Opera of Monaco: red carpet, cocktail reception, dinner prepared by a Michelin-star Chef and performances by international artists.

An exceptional auction will punctuate the Monte-Carlo Gala, filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, collectibles and memorabilia, and a selection of fine art from some of the world’s most important artists. Proceeds from the auction will support the Foundation’s initiatives dedicated to the Ocean: the development of marine protected areas, the protection of threatened marine species, the mitigation of the impact of climate change and acidification on the Ocean, the promotion of innovation and the fight against plastic pollution.

The first Monte-Carlo Gala took place in September 2017, with the support of Leonardo DiCaprio, Goldie Hawn, Andy Garcia, Adrien Brody, Eva Longoria, Madonna, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, Tobey Maguire, Enric Sala, Terry Tamminen, Nelly Furtado, Robin Thicke, Lior Suchard and Olga Kurlyenko.

For more information and participation details: oceangala@fpa2.org or +377 98 98 44 11.

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In a report just published, the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE) evaluated the economic impact of the €90 million Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco.

Over the four days and on a territory of two square kilometres, the benefit to Monaco amounts to €21.7 million in direct expenditure and €68.3 million in indirect spending. Only visitors coming for the Grand Prix and during these four days (May 25 to 28 2017) are taken into account.

These figures confirm that the Grand Prix Formula 1 is the most important event held in the Principality, whose economic benefits, beyond the amounts, far exceed the four days of the event and go beyond borders of Monaco.

The hotel sector benefits fully from this period during which hotels in the Principality have occupancy rates close to 100 percent. These four days represent a defining rendezvous of the year and a “good Grand Prix” is synonymous with a good year for the sector.

The number of “participants” is estimated between 50,000 and 65,000 depending on the day, for a total of more than 200,000 over the period of May 25 to 28. The study shows that far beyond the stands, the spectators on the circuit in the city occupy terraces, roofs, balconies and boats. These ephemeral viewing positions generate significant economic spin-offs beyond mere ticketing. Many service providers and intermediaries benefit from the attraction of the event.

The Grand Prix, unlike other events, has an impact on all economic players in the Principality; it’s truly the Monaco Grand Prix, the rendezvous of a whole country and a whole city that are transformed and organised for the occasion.

The Grand Prix is also inseparable from the image of the Principality abroad. The benefits in terms of image and reputation are difficult to quantify but the event offers media coverage across five continents.

Outside the borders of the Principality, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is economically reflected in the neighbouring region, both through the jobs it generates and through accommodation and companies solicited.

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Grid girls will still be part of this year’s Grand Prix

The Public Security Department, in charge of impoundment management, informs road users that as part of the 76th F1 Monaco Grand Prix, a special service will operate from Thursday, May 24, at 6 am until Monday May 28, at 9 am.

In order to allow the smooth running of this event, this service will remove of vehicles in violation, especially in the case of an inconvenient parking.

Offenders whose vehicles will have been removed must present themselves to settle the formalities of restitution, at the police station in Fontvieille, on avenue des Ligures, according to the following times:

Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25: from 6 am to 10 pm.
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27: from 8 am to 10 pm.

Outside these hours, offenders must go to the guard post of the Directorate of Public Security, at 9 rue Suffren Reymond.

Phone: +377 93 15 31 31 (Fontvieille police station); +377 93 15 30 15 (Public Security main line).

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Invited to the first Ocean Risk Summit, held in Bermuda from May 8 to 10, Prince Albert gave a keynote speech on the final morning session devoted to The Ocean in a Time of Change.

This summit – sponsored by the (re)insurance company XL Catlin, in partnership with organisations such as the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Ocean Unite – brought together political, economic and environmental leaders alongside insurers in this multi-sector approach to ocean risk.
After 2017, a year that was particularly marked by climate-related disasters, it is even more crucial to identify and anticipate the threats linked to the changes affecting the ocean, as well as the world’s populations and economies.

Covering two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and representing 97 percent of its biosphere, the ocean is a key issue both with regard to the conservation of the planet and to the emergence of a new era for society.

Global warming, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, marine pollution, and habitat destruction are some of the real dangers that were discussed at the summit. By bringing together governments and businesses to an event where they had space for reflection, the Ocean Risk Summit’s aim was designed to present them with expert data and analyses, to measure their degree of exposure to risks, and try to find solutions in order to reduce the latter.

During his speech, Prince Albert reminded the audience that our civilisation is turned towards the sea, which it used to build its foundations, due to its immediate geographical proximity, but also through the development of maritime trade.

While 60 percent of the world’s population lives under 60 km from the coast, and three-quarters of the world’s megacities are located close to the sea, almost 200 million people earn their living from the latter, directly or indirectly.

Today, 80 percent of transcontinental trade is carried out by sea, thanks to freighters that can carry large quantities of heavy goods at a lower cost than air freight. The sea, both its surface and its depths, with the rollout of fibre networks for example, occupies a central position in the economic development of our societies. This use disturbs the balance of the marine environment, notably through overfishing and pollution, causing serious environmental degradation and depleting ecosystems.

This is why, through his Foundation, Prince Albert actively supports the preservation of marine resources by working to create Marine Protected Areas and to raise the awareness of governments and opinion leaders about marine conservation.

The Sovereign Prince also highlighted the importance of changing our economic model and moving towards innovative, sustainable solutions that allow for the reconciliation of humanity with the environment. In the past, the greatest advances resulted from serious crises. Therefore, it is up to us to bounce back, by working together to promote a regulated, sustainable, innovative “Blue Economy”, which generates thousands of jobs.

The global, multi-sector approach proposed by the Ocean Risk Summit, through the prism of insurance and risk management, is in line with this. It is by sharing our knowledge of the oceans, by engaging in dialogue and exchanging our expertise that we shall fulfil this mission.

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Prince Albert II Foundation: a ten-year retrospective with HE Bernard Fautrier

On May 23, in Geneva, the Prince’s Government and the International Committee of the Red Cross signed a Convention establishing a formal framework for cooperation to support ICRC field operations.

A major player on the international scene, the ICRC has an exclusively humanitarian mission to protect and assist victims of armed conflict, with more and more resulting in serious humanitarian consequences.

The ICRC mobilises 16,800 people in more than 80 countries to help victims affected by armed conflict and violence. The organisation has been a partner of the Prince’s Government for many years in the implementation of humanitarian aid.

One of the characteristics of contemporary armed conflicts is that they are often long-term, which raises new and numerous challenges in the management of these crises, but also in the long-term care of the population affected. Beyond immediate emergencies, these conflicts call for action inspired by long-term cooperation and development.

Accordingly, the Prince’s Government is directing its support to the ICRC’s programmes in areas where conflicts are long-lasting. By formalising this long-standing relationship, the Principality reiterates its commitment to respect for international humanitarian laws, international human rights laws and fundamental humanitarian principles.

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A day in the life of the Prince