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Day: 26 September 2019

SheCanHeCan launches ‘The Equality Pledge’

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/09/2019

Monaco-based association SheCanHeCan has unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Equality Pledge’ in the fight for gender equality at a special exclusive cocktail event held at Club Thirty-Nine.

More than 140 people attended the event on Wednesday 18th September, including representatives from the government, activists, writers and sports personalities. The opening speech was delivered by President of Monaco’s National Council Stephane Valeri, followed by author and activist Gina Martin, who was instrumental in making the practice of “upskirting”, taking a photograph between someone’s legs without their consent, illegal in the United Kingdom. As a victim of this form of sexual harassment, her words were powerful and meaningful.  

Vibeke Brask Thomsen, founder of SheCanHeCan, spoke to the crowd before presenting a video created for the new campaign, asking her guests to be part of the solution of working toward gender equality worldwide together. The video included support and words from government officials, sport personalities, and members of other institutions.

The inaugural Equality Pledge Awards were presented to two women who have exemplified the mission for gender equality: Gemma Griffiths, who was given the prize for Student of the year, and Celine Cottalorda, for Advocate of the year.

Additionally, the association debuted it’s new fundraising strategy, based on the population of Monaco. They are asking for a €1 donation for each of the Principality’s residents to make a total of €38,695 to put toward the creation of an “Equality Toolkit”. The Mairie took the lead by generously donating on behalf of every municipal employee.

The evening’s finale was highlighted by a speech delivered by Gilles Tonelli, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who pointed out the steps the government is taking and will continue to take to change attitudes and assist in making gender equality a priority.

Prince addresses UN Climate Action Summit

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/09/2019

Prince Albert II was in New York earlier this week for the Climate Action Summit where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirmed the Principality’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050.

The summit comes amid an unprecedented climate crisis: global greenhouse gas emissions are steadily increasing, temperatures in the past four years have been the warmest ever recorded, sea levels are rising and coral reefs are dying.

The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world and have real consequences for people’s lives, in terms of health and food safety.

However, current commitments are still insufficient to achieve the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement, namely to limit the increase in global temperature to less than 1.5°C by 2100.

In an effort to strengthen the climate ambition in the face this challenge, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres brought together leaders from all over the world – heads of state and government, business leaders, representatives of youth and members of the public.

In addressing the United Nations on Monday 23rd, Prince Albert reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to implementing his Principality’s tough policy on energy transition, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

He also underlined the Principality’s mobilisation abroad, including the protection of the oceans, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change but also offer opportunities for climate action.

“It is with this conviction that Monaco has joined the Coalition of Nature-based Solutions, one of the nine thematic partnerships created in the run-up to the summit,” said the Prince.

Prince Albert also spoke of Monaco’s solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable populations and announced the Principality’s participation in the reconstitution of the Green Climate Fund, the main financial instrument for implementing the Paris Agreement in developing countries.

Monaco attends WHO Regional Committee Meeting

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/09/2019

A Monaco delegation was present at the 69th session of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe, where the primary objective was the appointment of a new Regional Director.

Carole Lanteri, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who led the Monegasque emissaries was joined by Director of Health Action, Alexander Bordero and Suzana Vaz, Attachéto the Permanent Mission of Monaco in Geneva.

With the stepping down of current Regional Director, Zsuzsanna Jakab, the main goal of the session was to confirm the appointment of Dr. Hans Kluge. Dr Kluge, a Belgian national, was formerly the Director of the Division of Health Systems and Public Health at WHO Europe.

“The objective is to strengthen WHO/Europe as a centre of excellence to give concrete help to countries on concrete issues, to work with determination and modesty to increase the impact at the country level, and to decrease the burden on countries – not least the small countries,” said Dr Kluge in his address to the delegation.

He went on to say that, “Member States want to see an agile WHO/Europe providing a compass for better health in the region. They want a very pragmatic toolbox for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We have to take into account global health, the regional context, but also countries’ cultural and health system specificities.”

Additionally, the meeting tackled regional health concerns, such as the creation of global primary health care for the region, as well as the necessary financial, budgetary and administrative matters.

The yearly meeting was held from 16th to 19th September in Copenhagen.