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Day: 13 November 2020

Monaco backs nuclear technologies

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/11/2020

Monaco has reaffirmed its support for the peaceful use of nuclear technologies, particularly for cancer treatment and other medical equipment.
Monaco recently took part in the General Assembly of the 64th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in New York, confirming its support for the development of peaceful nuclear technologies as defined in Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
“Peaceful use of the atom benefits the entire international community,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in his keynote address.
The Monegasque delegation focused on nuclear uses in the fields of health and the environment, highlighting the fact that the Principality is a historic supporter of the Agency’s Action Program for Cancer Therapy (PACT) and is at the cutting edge of nuclear medicine technologies, as evidenced by the opening of a nuclear cardiology unit equipped with advanced equipment in September.
Meanwhile, Monaco hosts the environmental laboratories of the IAEA, allowing for the collection of crucial data for understanding the challenges and developing sustainable strategies.
 
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Nuclear technology to boost early cancer detection

 
Photo: Cédric Braquetti, Counselor for Monaco to the UN in New York, during his speech © DR
 
 

Watch auction to benefit environment

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/11/2020

Stunning timepieces donated by high-profile personalities including Prince Albert and Bono will form part of the upcoming ‘Time Counts’ charitable auction, raising funds for the Prince Albert II Foundation and One Drop.
The two have joined forces with Phillips Auction House for the charity auction that will be integrated within Phillip’s Racing Pulse New York Watch Auction on 12th December.
The Time Counts initiative will be comprised of 12 exceptional lots dedicated specifically to the Prince’s Foundation and One Drop missions of providing access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and working towards improving climate resilience for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Directed by Aurel Bacs and Paul Boutros – two of the world’s leading watch experts – admirers, collectors and philanthropists can be part of the Time Counts event and bid through an innovative live and online auction platform, no matter where they are in the world.
Included will be four incredible Audemars Piguet timepieces donated by Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, One Drop and Lune Rouge.
“The impact of Covid-19 on the population of the emerging and developing countries will have deep and durable consequences. That’s why we called this joint initiative Time Counts,” said Guy Laliberté. “We have to act now and raise money for this critical cause and show that we care, and we won’t accept any setback for the most vulnerable communities in the world.”
Other standout lots include a rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ in stainless steel with the Prince’s name engraved on its case offered by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and two timepieces donated directly by Prince Albert II. These include a Montre Rebellion Predator 2.0, and a unique Urwerk in black titanium featuring a three-dimensional satellite hour display.
“Let us unite to ensure that water, a vital and common resource for humanity, will no longer be a global health issue but a duly respected right,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Activist and U2 lead singer Bono is supporting Time Counts by donating a vintage, 18 karat pink gold Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece along with a framed drawing of U2 lyrics, ‘The First Time,’ by Bono, dated 2020. Bono originally gifted this particular watch to his father, who he credits with giving him his voice.
Fellow philanthropist and businessman Kevin O’Leary is donating his iconic Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with signature red band. This highly sought after Daytona is a favourite of the Shark Tank wardrobe department because of its ‘camera appeal’ and has appeared in more episodes across Shark Tank’s seasons 10, 11 and 12 than any other watch O’Leary owns.
British Formula One racing legend David Coulthard is donating an IWC Big Pilot collection timepiece, Le Petite Prince, from his personal collection. Le Petite Prince model was released in 2016 and features a stunning, vintage-inspired blue dial designed for aviators.
Rounding out the list of star-studded donations is musician and media businessman Rory Kaplan who is showing his support with the donation of his vintage, Porsche Design Orfina Chronograph that he has worn for years as his good-luck charm.
The Phillips auction house currently holds numerous world records, including the highest price ever obtained for a vintage wristwatch sold at auction.
To see the One Drop catalogue, click here.
 
Photo taken from the One Drop catalogue
 
 

Bella's seasonal shopping guide for Monaco

by: Isabella Marino
13/11/2020

Grimaldi Forum obtains 5th green certification

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/11/2020

Certified for the first time in 2008, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco (GFM) was one of the very first European convention centres at the time to obtain the precious certification. Twelve years later, and a long road travelled, the Principality’s largest congress and culture centre just successfully passed the 5th annual environmental audit in its history with flying colours.
The fundamental objective of the Grimaldi Forum has not changed since 2008 – to reduce the impact of the building maintenance and events activity taking place there that has an impact on the environment. As a result, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco is constantly optimising its environmental management system, focusing on optimised and sustainable water management, energy management, the sorting and recycling of its waste, an ecologically responsible purchasing policy, good risk management and active communications.
“Every audit enables us to go even further and this one, which covers the period 2017-2020, is confirmation that the Grimaldi Forum is more efficient than ever, despite years of constant growth with absolutely record-breaking activity in 2018 and 2019, and despite the health crisis and the slowdown in event activity which is disrupting 2020,” said Sylvie Biancheri, Managing Director of the GFM.

Solar instalments on top of the congress and culture centre © Grimaldi Forum Monaco

The audit recognises several notable achievements, including further improvement in critical areas like water, electricity, sorting of waste, and paper consumption. It also takes into consideration the creation of new like hybrid events mixing face-to-face and virtual participation.
There is also the inauguration in 2019 at the GFM of the largest and most efficient urban solar power plant in the Principality, allowing the centre to consume 100% green energy.
Since its first certification in 2008, the Grimaldi Forum, which has established its green policy as a strong link in its corporate strategy, has succeeded in improving its energy efficiency by 35%, multiplying its waste sorting rate by 2.5, and more than halving its water consumption per visitor. The Grimaldi Forum also actively participates in the National Energy Transition Pact which it has adhered to since 2018.
The next ISO 14001 re-certification is scheduled for the end of October 2023.
 
Top photo © Grimaldi Forum Monaco / Olivia Marocco
 
 

One Birth = One Tree marks 13th year

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/11/2020

Close to 1,000 trees will be planted this year as part of the One Birth = One Tree programme, co-organised by the Monaco Town Hall.

One Birth = One Tree is this year celebrating 13 years of planting a tree for every baby born in the Principality the previous 12 months.

Unfortunately, the symbolic tree planting ceremony in La Turbie was cancelled this year, however parents and children got together on Thursday 5th November with Monaco Mayor Georges Marsan and other councillors for an official moment in the Cour d’Honneur of the Town Hall.

The mayor welcomed his visitors with a speech reminding them of the Town Hall’s commitment to the environment, particularly through reforestation efforts. These plantings have resulted in a total of 12,727 trees since the programme’s inception that have reforested not only the surrounding villages but also the Val Daluis national forest in the Var. This year, 939 trees will be planted.

The Town Hall gave each family an olive tree, a traditional symbol of peace, strength, victory, longevity and hope. Olive trees are also an important part of Monegasque history, as the cultivation of these trees was a major resource for the people of a bygone era.

“I hope you take care of it and that it grows with your child and will remain the symbol of their birth,” said the mayor in concluding his speech.

One Birth = One Tree was started in 2008 as part of a larger global campaign ‘Plant for the Planet’ and was sponsored by Prince Albert II. It is co-organised by the National Forestry Office (ONF) and the goal is to plant one billion trees in total.

These efforts coincide with the concentrated reforestation efforts in France. In the last 30 years, the country has seen its forests grow by 7% on 16.4 million hectares of terrain. The project has reclaimed land once used for agriculture or industry and ranks fourth in Europe after Sweden, Finland and Spain for the largest forested areas.

Monaco recorded 939 births in the Principality in 2020 so far, compared to 983 in 2019. 

 
Photo provided by the Mairie of Monaco