Omicron-targeting vaccines en route to Monaco

The Government on Wednesday announced that  the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine adapted to the Omicron variants will be available next week in the Principality.

The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Covid-19 are currently the dominant strains in circulation in Monaco and the world, accounting for around 93% of all cases.

As a result, Monaco had requested stocks of the specially adapted mRNA booster shot, and they will arrive in a matter of days.

From next week, the vaccine will be available in the Principality to those who have complete vaccine schedules, which include at least two doses of a jab or one dose and a documented record of having been infected, such as a PCR test of positive antigen test.

Those who would like to receive a booster are asked to contact the authorities one of three ways. People can either call the Covid Call Centre at +377 92.05.55.00, reachable 7/7 days from 9am to 5pm or go to https://vaccination-covid19.gouv.mc

or visit the Monaco Santé website onhttps://patient.monacosante.mc/fr/vaccination-covid-19/monaco

The new booster shot is available to all residents and citizens, but it is being highly recommended for people over the age of 60, with a strong emphasis on the over-80s, pregnant women, people with co-morbidities and those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

The Comirnaty monovalent vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech remains available for the primary vaccination of people aged 12 and over.

 

Photo source: Unsplash

 

 

 

 

Monaco joins ambitious international treaty to end plastic pollution

The Principality joined a collective of countries in committing to end plastic pollution by 2040 at the recent World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Meetings.

The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago, with the bulk of it ending up in landfill, incinerated or leaking into the environment, according to a OECD report earlier this year.

To make matters worse, it is estimated that eight million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans daily and 76% of plastic waste is sent to landfills or ends up in the environment, while less than 10% is recycled. The remaining 14% gets incinerated.

These disappointing figures were hot topic of conversation at the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Meetings on 22nd September, prompting a collective of countries to join forces and start negotiations on an ambitious international treaty. The agreement will be more encompassing than previous ones and is based on a circular and global approach to guarantee better management of plastics throughout their lifecycle, with the main goal being to stop the current “leakage” that pollutes the environment.

Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadei said at the meeting that “plastic pollution constitutes a planetary crisis with repercussions on biodiversity, the climate and human health”. She went on to say that “without effective new control measures, plastic production is expected to double in 20 years and plastic waste dumped into the oceans is expected to triple by 2040. This is an unacceptable burden for future generations.”

The negotiations will begin at the end of November in Uruguay, under the direction of the UN, and will be a continuation of what transpired at the Sustainable Development Meetings and will include proposals on how to tackle plastic pollution sources via limiting production and use of plastics as well as by shifting manufacturing toward more sustainable products.

 

Photo above: The ministerial representatives of the coalition countries: Rwanda, Norway, France, United Kingdom, Monaco, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, United Arab Emirates, Peru, Portugal, Canada, Iceland, South Korea, Finland and Sweden. Source: Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Prince Albert visits Grimaldi Historic Site in southern Italy

As part of his regular travels to territories historically linked to the Grimaldi family, Prince Albert II this week visited Ripacandida, in Basilicate, southern Italy.

The Prince was welcomed at the entrance of the city by Mayor Giuseppe Sarcuno, where he unveiled a sign marking the city’s membership to the Grimaldi Historical Sites of Monaco network.

Guided by the mayor, the Prince then met with elected officials at City Hall before walking to the Place du Peuple to listen to speeches delivered by the mayor, region President Vito Bardi, and the Prefect Michele Belltier.

Photo credit: Axel Bastello, Prince’s Palace

The Prince expressed his gratitude to the municipality and local authorities for the warm welcome that was given to him, and recalled the secular links that exist between the Principality and Ripacandida. He then unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and christened the Belvedere of the Princes of Monaco.

A little later, the Prince walked to the Palazzo Lioy, a residence that used to belong to a noble family who served the lords of Monaco. The Lioy Lui family presented to Prince Albert the original doctoral degree from the University of Naples, emblazoned with the Grimaldi coat of arms, that was awarded to one of their ancestors in 1609 when the rulers of Monaco were lords ofRipacandida.

The original doctoral degree from the University of Naples, photo credit: Axel Bastello, Prince’s Palace

The Prince went on to visit the sanctuary of San Donato, a former Franciscan convent dating back to the 15th century and classified as a national monument since December 2010, where he and his delegation enjoyed lunch.

The day ended with a dinner in the presence of the Monaco delegation and the mayors of Ripacandida, Monteverde, Canosa and Terlizzi.

In 1524, the Grimaldis of Monaco placed themselves under the protection of Habsburg Spain. In 1532, to consolidate the alliance, Emperor Charles V, who also dominated the south of the Italian peninsula as King of Naples, granted the lords of Monaco a certain number of fiefs.

 

Photo above credit: Axel Bastello, Prince’s Palace

 

 

 

ASM preview: “An important match, but not a decisive one”

AS Monaco are looking to bounce back against Trabzonspor following defeat to Ferencváros in the last round, in what Philippe Clement described as “an important, but not a decisive match” on Wednesday. 

As a result of the 1-0 defeat at home to Ferencváros just before the international break, an extra importance has been accorded to Thursday night’s fixture. Whilst as Clement says, it is “not a decisive match,” there is a greater need for points on the board than had they won that game against the Hungarian champions.

The club currently sit in third after the first two Europa League games, and are separated only by goal difference from their Turkish opponents. “There are six games (in the group stages) so it’s an important match, but not a decisive match. We mustn’t look at what others are doing, but stay focused on our own game, our qualities and our tempo. In this group, there are four teams of around the same level. It’s up to us to prove that we’re the best and we will only have our answer at the end of the six matches,” said Clement.

However, with difficult away trips to Turkey and later to Hungary, it is important to bounce back quickly. “Against Trabzonspor, we need to make sure that the match against Ferncváros was just a mistake,” said captain Wissam Ben Yedder.

That match is the only recent blot on Monaco’s copybook. In the league, the club are on a four-game winning streak, and carrying that form into European competition is the task that Clement’s men face.

“I liked the match against Nantes, and I hope to see the same ingredients against Trabzonspor. I want even more automatism, to create more opportunities, and to concede fewer chances to our opponents,” said Clement.

Easier said than done; and in Trabzonspor, they are coming up against “an experienced European side.” Seasoned internationals fill the side, from Slovakian international Marek Hamsik, who has 135 caps for his country, to Hassan Trézéguet (57 Egypt caps), and even former Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra (14 Spain caps).

As a result, Clement says his side “have to play the full 90 minutes with their qualities, and even then, there is no guarantee of a result.”

Medical report

At least, as he told Monaco Life, Clement has almost a full squad to pick from. The side remain without Ruben Aguilar, an absence which leaves the manager in search of solutions at right-back with Vanderson the only first-team, out-and-out player who plays in that position.

Having played a full half against Nantes at the weekend, Kevin Volland is fit enough to start for the first time since his return from injury. However, he may find it hard to displace Breel Embolo, who having come off at half-time at the weekend, participated fully in a group training on Wednesday, attended by Monaco Life. 

Some of the club’s youngsters, including Yann Liénard, Félix Lemarechal, Yllan Okou, and Soungoutou Magassa, are away with the Elite Group squad and therefore won’t be in the squad for the fixture.

Against Trabzonspor, Monaco can’t afford any more “accidents.” The nature of European football is brutal; slip-ups are punished and with only six gameweeks and a high-quality of opposition, it can be difficult to refind one’s feet. That is the challenge that now faces Clement and his group of “young lions.”

 

AS Monaco predicted starting line-up

(3-4-3) | Nübel – Henrique, Badiashile, Sarr, Disasi – Golovin, Fofana, Camara  – Ben Yedder, Embolo

Embrace autumn at the one-day-only Forest Harvest Market

The Mairie de Monaco is on a mission to revitalise the Monte-Carlo Market by organising several themed events. This is what is planned for Saturday.

The initiative, led Marjorie Crovetto, to breathe new life into the local fresh-food market in La Condamine continues on Saturday 8th October with the great ‘Forest Harvest Market’.

In addition to the vendors usually present, exhibitors will be offering mushrooms, chestnuts and other forest products.

It’s a great way to embrace the autumn season, which officially began on 22nd September.

Next up on the roster: the Regional Wines and Cheese Market on Saturday 22nd October.

Access is free for all.

 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 

 

 

Calendar events: Here’s what’s coming up at the Grimaldi Forum

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Now that autumn has arrived, so has a flurry of conferences and events at the Grimaldi Forum, including the best in tech, business, finance, art, culture, security and health.

The Grimaldi Forum is the place to be this autumn and winter, with a host of incredible professional events and conferences in several fields, showing what a truly diverse and international appeal the Principality has in terms of generating business and bringing in the finest events. 

Luxe Pack is currently on at the Forum until 5th October, showcasing the most innovative luxury packaging options, with a particular bent toward eco-responsibility. This will be followed up from the 12th to the 14th of this month by Les Assises, the can’t miss conference for cybersecurity experts that has brought cutting edge technology to the industry for the past two decades.

From 19th to 21st October, the Forum hosts The World of CCEs. The French Foreign Trade Advisors, or CCEs, voluntarily share their experience working for the development of France. They carry out acts in partnership with public and private players who have a role in promoting and supporting the internationalisation of French companies.

Next up is Sportel on the 24th to the 26th and the Sportel Awards on the 23rd and 24th October. Sportel is a major event bringing together leaders in the sports media and technology industries to show off the highlights of the past year, with the awards show shining a spotlight on the best sport sequences from around the globe. A can’t miss for sport industry fans and pros alike.

In November, Visage comes on the 4th and 5th, an academic training programme offering the latest advances and trends in the facial aesthetics industry for licensed medical doctors who are looking to up their games and learn to perform the latest techniques.

Rounding out the month, the 26th November will see the Forum play host to the graduation ceremony for the International University of Monaco. 

December opens with the Made in Japan fair from the 2nd to the 4th. This third edition of this highly popular event is dedicated to Japanese culture and is open to the public, where they can learn about the food, practices and culture of this dynamic island nation.

Finally, from the 6th to the 8th, is the Hydro 22 Hydrographic Conference, focusing on environmental and “blue” growth challenges and showcasing innovations to help spread the word to the biggest audience possible about the roles and responsibilities of a conscious community. Demos, workshops and speakers will round out the event, which is organised by the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies.

 

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Photo of the Grimaldi Forum by Monaco Life