Day: 20 February 2019

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and its partners are organising the 3rd edition of the Monaco Ocean Week, from March 24th to 30th, 2019.

Aimed at debating and finding solutions to protect the marine environment, especially in the face of the challenges of climate change, the event opens with the Monaco Blue Initiative and continues throughout the week in the Principality.

Conferences, presentations and debates

Screening of the first Ocean X movie: Oceans: Our Blue Planet
Oceans: Our Blue Planet offers an odyssey to go further in the discovery of the oceans, the majority of which is still unexplored. New technologies have made it possible to discover mysterious worlds populated by amazing creatures that go beyond what one could have imagined.
Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 pm at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

Results of the first ever marine megafauna observation campaign ever conducted throughout the Mediterranean Sea
This conference will be dedicated to an exceptional initiative of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Wednesday, March 27 from 18H to 20H at the Yacht Club of Monaco

International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI): Urgent Action to Save Coral Reefs from Extinction
Corals, critical habitats for marine biodiversity, are threatened with extinction by 2050. ICRI members, which Monaco co-chairs alongside Australia and Indonesia until 2020, will meet for the first time in the Principality.
Tuesday, March 26 from 8:30 to 10:00 at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
In English – Restricted seats

The challenge of right whale conservation in Patagonia, Argentina
At least 605 whales have died on Argentine shores since 2003, including 538 newborns. In 2012 alone, 113 babies died. Today, scientists around the world are working to find an answer and determine why so many whales are dying.
Tuesday, March 26 from 10H to 12H30 at the Monaco Yacht Club
English – restricted seats

Initiatives to combat plastic pollution

“Biomarine Blue Bioplastic” workshop or how to accelerate the production of bioplastics
The goal of this workshop is to take concrete action and build partnerships between seafood industries, technology providers and large corporations.
Sunday, March 24 from 2-4 pm at the Novotel Monaco
In English – Restricted seats

Winners BeMed 2019, micro-initiatives to fight against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean
Plastic pollution in the oceans is one of the most worrying ecological disasters for our future. Once released into the natural environment, plastic can take up to 500 years to
disappear. The new winners from all the Mediterranean countries will present their projects.
Wednesday, March 27, from 14H to 20H at the Novotel

Exit at sea: marketing campaign for red tuna
Monaco was the “first state without bluefin tuna”, following a moratorium introduced in 2008. At that time, stocks of bluefin tuna are particularly low and the species close of ecological extinction.
Friday, March 29 or Saturday, March 30 – Restricted Media Places

Sensitising young people to ocean preservation
Beyond Plastic Med passes the baton Throughout the day, Bemed’s animators will welcome schoolchildren around fun and participative activities to raise awareness about the extent of plastic pollution in our oceans. Its consequences on humans and the environment.
Tuesday March 26th from 9am to 4pm at Stars’N’Bars

Launch of the Monaco Marine Educational Area
A marine educational area is a small coastal sea area managed in a participatory way by the children of a primary school, thus promoting the knowledge and protection of the marine environment by a young public. This concept, born in 2012 in the Marquesas Islands, has recently been set up in the Principality of Monaco.
Wednesday, March 27 from 10am to 12pm at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

Students on Ice: in the presence of Laurent Ballesta, photographer, diver and marine biologist, a battle between high school students for the chance to take part in the Students on Ice 2019 Arctic Expedition.
Each year, this contest reserved for Monegasque high school students allows two winners to leave for a stay at the end of the world.
Tuesday, March 26 from 12:30 to 12h at the Technical and Hospitality College of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco has paid tribute to the legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in Paris on Tuesday at the age of 85. Lagerfeld has long been recognised as “a member of the family” by Princess Caroline of Hanover and “a great friend of the Principality”, according to the Prince.

Speaking to local newspaper Monaco Matin, Prince Albert admitted to recently learning of Karl Lagerfeld’s health concerns. “I knew he was tired and had been suffering for some time,” said Prince Albert. “I had talked about it with my sister Caroline who was to see him a few days ago and unfortunately it had been postponed, now we understand why.”

The most prolific designer of the 20th and 21st centuries, Karl Lagerfeld was an instantly recognisable figure around the world with his signature ponytail, fingerless gloves and dark glasses. He is credited with transforming luxury French fashion house Chanel and was at the creative helm of Fendi and his own label. For the past seven years, he has been the creative director behind Monaco’s iconic Rose Ball, which is held every March.

But aside from his obvious talent and quick wit, he was a also philanthropist.

“It is a great person who has disappeared, not only a great creator but a man who has marked the world of fashion and art,” said Prince Albert. He referred to Lagerfeld as a particularly generous man, adding: “He was one of our most important donors to the Monaco Red Cross.”

Princess Caroline and the German designer had been close friends for many years, going so far as referring to Lagerfeld as “a member of the family”.  On Tuesday night she posted to her Twitter account: “Bon Voyage my dear friend. I am broken.”