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Month: December 2020

Monaco Declaration delivered at ocean symposium

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/12/2020

“Ocean pollution is widespread, worsening and, in most countries, poorly controlled.” That’s the key message to have come out of the first Human Health and Ocean symposium held in Monaco.
The forum was organised by Boston College, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and took place over two days from 2nd to 3rd December.
International scientists from various research fields took stock of the current situation, discussing both the positive effects that the marine environment can have on human health, as well as the negative effects such as acidification of the oceans, rising sea levels and weather phenomena.
At the forefront of discussions was ocean pollution, which is the subject of a dedicated scientific report, coordinated by Boston College and the Scientific Centre of Monaco. “Human activities have resulted in a complex mixture of substances entering into the aquatic environment,” the authors conclude in the report. “This mixture reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition and direct release. Ocean pollution has multiple negative impacts on ecosystems and human health, especially for vulnerable populations.”
The report was published at the end of the Human Health and the Ocean symposium and is supported by the Monaco Declaration, read in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco during the closing session.
Beyond the alarming findings that it presents, the declaration makes a recommendation to “the leaders of all countries and the citizens of the whole earth” to “advance the health and wellbeing of humans by preventing ocean pollution.”
 
Photo from left to right: Olivier Wenden, Laurent Anselmi, Prof. Patrick Rampal, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Bernard Fautrier © Michael Alesi Government Communication Department
 
 

Fighting against fraud

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2020

French and Monegasque financial intelligence agencies have met in Paris to discuss the latest international large-scale scams cropping up as a result of the Covid epidemic.
Since the pandemic began, there have been a new breed of fraudsters who are taking advantage of public health concerns, offering low-cost anti-Covid medicines, hygiene products and test kits. The scammers ask for upfront payment and then either send nothing or fake products that have the potential to be harmful.
This issue formed part of discussions between the Monegasque and French Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) in Paris on 30th November. The working methods and analysis of investigators was also on the table.
Michel Hunault, Director of SICCFIN, and Jean-Marc Gualandi, head of Legal and International Affairs, insisted on Monaco’s desire to give SICCFIN – Monaco’s FIU – the necessary means to increase human resources for “an activity that is in constant progression, as evidenced by the last activity report.”
Anti-money-laundering and terrorist financing systems were also discussed giving both sides a better understanding of national vulnerabilities and the need to strengthen existing prevention methods.
Monaco will chair the group of French speaking Financial Intelligence Units in November 2021 at a congress that was previously set for 2020 but was forced to cancel due to the health crisis.
 

Photo from left to right: Jean-Marc Gualandi, Michel Hunault (SICCFIN), Yvonne Le Brignonen (Director of TRACFIN), Tony SARTINI (TRACFIN). © DR

 
 

Beautiful, ethical, organic, local

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/12/2020

SBM’s signature festive cake this year is the Honey Flower, a stunning celebration of local ingredients prepared by the Principality’s finest pastry chefs.
Each year, Monte-Carlo Catering, led by the Société des Bains de Mer, creates a unique Monegasque cake to be enjoyed throughout the holidays.
This season, the chefs have conceived a masterpiece called the Honey Flower.
“The pastry chefs of SBM work together for one month, sharing all of our ideas, to create this cake,” Pastry Department Manager Ken Thomas told Monaco Life. “We do 10 tests before we come up with the final product.”
That precision and dedication is clear to all who lay eyes on the Honey Flower. It is simply stunning. And beneath that glossy yellow exterior lies a scrumptious array of treats.
“The cake is gluten free and layered with crunchy muesli covered in white chocolate, soft biscuit made from local olive oil, rice milk made with raw milk from Roc Agel (Prince Albert’s farm), different textures of lemon jelly, citrus caviar, honey mouse from the local bee hive, a honey-lemon-ginger glaze, white chocolate decoration, and citrus meringue with lemons sourced from the gardens of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort.”
A QR code on the front of every cake links to a video, giving people the opportunity to see for themselves how the organic honey is collected from SBM beehives located in the Roua Valley, in the foothills of the Mercantour National Park.
Other festive delights created by Head Chef Philippe Joannes and handmade by his team include Les petits fours, gingerbread, yule logs, chocolate mobile phones, traditional Kouglof, and another beautiful creation – L’étincelle.

L’étincelle (spark)

In addition to SBM hotels and restaurants, the Honey Flower cake and other sugary treats are available in the winter ‘Christmas garden’ in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris.
 
Related stories:

Christmas fun at the Hôtel de Paris

 
 

New waste reduction website

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2020

Monaco residents can visit the city council’s new website to learn everything about disposing of household items for reuse and other waste reduction initiatives.

In keeping with the environmental standards and practices already in place in the Principality, the Monaco City Council and Monaco Durable Development (MC2D) have launched their new website, ‘Monaco Commits Against Waste’, as an upgrade and expansion on the old site ‘Monaco takes Action Against Food Waste’, which was started back in 2015.

As the old site focused solely on food waste, the MC2D and Marjorie Crovetto, Councillor in charge of the Living Environment, decided it was time to broaden the scope to include “actions of all forms of waste and to raise public awareness of the various related issues.”

The new website, found at www.contrelegaspillage.mc, has five major sections. There is the original food waste section along with MEG collections, which promotes a circular economy through drives for toys, books, electronics and the like; an articles section that highlights actions being taken as well as environmental and sustainable development events; a links section to relevant websites; and finally a contact page to ask questions or get information.

Some of the highlights currently online are how to make cocktails from products that are at the end of their shelf life but still consumable and awareness programmes in school canteens on waste reduction.

 
Photo: Screenshot of the new website
 
 

Third Covid screening test now in action

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/12/2020

Rapid antigen tests are being rolled out throughout the Principality, with results obtainable within 30 minutes.
As reported in Monaco Life in late November, the Principality had acquired the rapid antigen tests and was awaiting a ministerial order to allow health professionals to administer the tests.
Now, pharmacists, doctors, nurses and medical labs in the Principality have received training to be able to offer the new screening option for Covid-19.
The rollout comes as welcome news to the National Council, which pushed for the rapid antigen tests to form part of Monaco’s screening capacity.
“Elected officials are delighted that many pharmacies, doctors and nurses in town can now perform these tests and thus meet the demand of many Monegasques and residents, relayed by the national council advisers,” it said in a statement.
The rapid antigen test involves taking a nasal swab, the same required for a PCR test. However, rather than the sample being sent to a laboratory for testing, a few drops of reagent are mixed with the sample and placed on a strip that shows one line for negative, two lines for positive, much like a home pregnancy test. A positive result means that the virus is active in the patient’s body.
Results can be obtained within 30 minutes and the test has a sensitivity rating of between 84-98%, according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Unfortunately, rapid antigen tests perform best when the person is tested in the early stages of infection when viral load is generally highest, therefore they often fail to identify people who are positive but are in the later stages of infection.
As a result, people who have Covid symptoms but receive a negative antigen test should still take a more sensitive PCR test.
But the new tests do allow health authorities to better manage cases by isolating patients quickly to prevent further spread and to begin treatment immediately.
The fee for the antigen test is around 50€ and reimbursable with Monaco health insurance.
Some people will be able to use their antigen test results to enter a country with travel restrictions, such as Italy. However, rules vary depending on the country.
The rapid antigen tests brings to three the number of Covid-screening options currently available in Monaco.
For more information, read our article ‘Guide to getting tested in Monaco’.
 
Photo credit: Government Communication Department / Manuel Vitali
 
 

Christmas fun at the Hôtel de Paris

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/12/2020

In the elegant setting of the Hôtel de Paris courtyard, amongst giant palms and sparkling firs, winter “greenhouses” are offering a unique and charming experience this winter.
From now until 10th January, the ‘Christmas garden on the patio’ will feature a creative programme of activities headed by skilled professionals who are sharing their precious knowledge for this festive event.
Workshops are being held on everything from ceramics and illustrations, floral door wreaths and natural candles, to culinary lessons on making gingerbread and galette des Rois – all to be enjoyed afterwards at home.
Monaco Life was invited to a workshop for the press on Tuesday, led by the very talented SBM Pastry Chef Cédric Campanella.

Creative workshop in the Hotel de Paris, photo by Monaco Life

Inside a cosy glasshouse, with rain falling gently outside, we were instructed on how to make a beautiful chocolate Christmas tree, using a mixture of ébéne dark chocolate and bio ceiba milk chocolate, decorated with festive dried fruits and nuts.
Everything was provided, including our very own Monte-Carlo Catering aprons, while the highest health standards were maintained. It was surprisingly easy and incredibly satisfying to return home to my two young girls with my creation.
My (slightly wonky) handmade Christmas tree

But the kids don’t have to miss out. There are specific workshops designed for parents and their children.
And the best part? If your chocolate Christmas tree is too topsy turvy, or your galette de Rois is a little flat, you can just pop over to the “chalet” next door and pick up some treats that have been prepared by Chef Philippe Joannes and his team at Monte-Carlo Catering!

The 1.5-hour workshops cost 75€ per person, or 120€ for an adult and child.
There is also the possibility to reserve the greenhouse for private dinners with a 4-course Winter Gourmet Menu from 180€ per person excluding drinks.
For more details and reservations, call +377 98 06 71 71.
 
Main photos credit: SBM Monte Carlo