Young British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is set to appear on the storied stage of the Opéra Garnier later this month as part of the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival.
The ‘Blue Lights’ and ‘Where Did I Go?’ singer will be performing at the famous venue on the evening of Wednesday 14th August from 8pm.
It will be the first time that the 26-year-old, who has made a name for herself thanks to her captivating blend of soul, jazz and resonating lyrics, has played to a Monaco crowd, and local fans will be looking forward to hearing hits from her critically acclaimed debut and follow-up albums.
Her gig is one of the final dates of the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival, coming just one day before Lenny Kravitz performs the first of two shows, which will formally close the programme.
Tickets for Smith’s concert start from €120 and can be reserved here.
A new photography exhibition showcasing the desert landscapes and rich cultural history and heritage of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region has opened on the Promenade du Larvotto. Monaco Life headed down to the open-air exhibit to meet with some of the eight artists involved in ‘AlUla: A Tapestry of Creativity’.
Between 3rd August and 3rd September, the free outside exhibition on the Promenade du Larvotto will be presenting the works of eight artists either from or connected to the region of AlUla, including Moath Alofi, Huda Beydoun, Lance Gerber, Catherine Gfeller, M’hammed Kilito, Matthieu Paley, Robert Polidori and Prince Michel de Yougoslavie.
Curated by Arts AlUla in collaboration with Experience AlUla, the exhibition consists of 23 huge, blown-up photographs that are displayed on 3m x 2m panels. The images portray the geological, archaeological and artistic elements of AlUla, a region in Saudi Arabia known for its rich cultural heritage and striking landscapes.
Speaking to Monaco Life at the opening of the exhibition, Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of AlUla’s Arts and Creative Industries, said, “AlUla is an infinite source of inspiration for artists from different eras and cultures that today once again establishes itself as an international benchmark in the world of art and culture.”
Nora Aldabal (second from left) with Philip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer for the Royal Commission for AlUla (second from right) and artist Huda Beydoun. Photo by Monaco Life
When asked about how the artists were chosen, Aldabal explained, “A lot of the artists have engaged in previous programmes or came on individual trips of exploration to AlUla, so the selections were made by a curatorial team that put together the selection of artists, but also the selection of artworks and how they would converse with the environment of AlUla.”
A glimpse into AlUla
Many of the artists attended the launch event, including Moath Alofi, who is known for capturing cultural artefacts and hidden treasures within Madinah, a historically significant city in Saudi Arabia revered as the second holiest city in Islam.
“My aim was to document the artefacts and the archaeological side of AlUla and create a sort of sense of nostalgia,” Alofi shared with Monaco Life.
Huda Beydoun, whose works feature prominently in the exhibition, has made a name for herself in Jeddah as a visual artist and fashion photographer.
She said, “I love to mesh things that might not seem like they can mix well and make a cohesive story.”
Lance Gerber, based in Southern California, focuses on the transformative effects of desert landscapes, while Catherine Gfeller, a French-Swiss artist, brings her fascination with urban environments to AlUla. M’hammed Kilito, a National Geographic Explorer from Casablanca, documents communities in geopolitically sensitive areas, and French photographer Matthieu Paley has exported his experiences documenting isolated Himalayan communities and overlain them on the Saudi Arabian region. Finally, Robert Polidori, known for his architectural photography, has captured the intersection of history and modernity in AlUla.
The exhibition aims to attract a diverse audience and draw attention to the region’s heritage and the talents of the participating artists.
“It’s really about reaching an audience that might know little about AlUla so they can learn more about it and hopefully come visit,” said Aldabal. “It’s also an opportunity to share the artistic and cultural exchange between Monaco and AlUla.”
Visitors can learn more about the art and artists through an official English, Arabic and French brochure, which is available by scanning the QR code on the back of the first panel, or by clicking here.
To see more of the exhibition, watch the Monaco Life Instagram reel below:
A total of 11 new reserves have been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, boosting global efforts in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and cutting-edge scientific research. Monaco was among 72 countries to make it happen.
The International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (CIC-MAB), held in Agadir, Morocco from 1st to 5th July, was filled with an air of confidence in action plans for the future and well-deserved pats on the back for the successes currently being achieved.
The session was opened by Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, who spoke to the 270 representatives from 72 nations in attendance, which included a delegation from Monaco.
The programme, which has been in existence since 1971, is an intergovernmental science-based affair designed to “improve the relationship between people and their environment” by combining natural and social sciences. The goal is to protect people’s livelihoods while raising awareness of the need to protect natural and managed ecosystems.
This has been done by creating a web of World Network of Biosphere Reserves – the biggest and oldest nature reserve collection under the UNESCO umbrella.
This year’s meeting saw 11 new reserves added to the mix in as many countries, including two trans-border sites. It brings the total protected zones to an area reaching 37,400km2 – a space roughly the size of The Netherlands – in 759 locations in 136 regions. The biosphere reserves now represent 5% of the Earth’s surface, an impressive figure.
MONACO’S INVOLVEMENT
Monaco was represented at the event by Agatha Korczak, First Secretary to the Permanent Delegation of the Principality to UNESCO.
Since 2022, the Principality has been a major supporter of a Man and the Biosphere (MAB) scholarship for young researchers. Seven of the 15 participating students have been beneficiaries of Monegasque aid, giving rise to the Council’s approval of naming the scholarship the Prince Albert I of Monaco Prize for MAB Youth in honour of the Sovereign’s legacy as an ardent patron of oceanography and science.
The funds are intended for the specific scientific study of marine, coastal and island areas, and are in line with Monaco’s commitment to the Ocean Decade, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.
The next CIC-MAB meeting is scheduled for September 2025 during the 5th World Biosphere Reserves Congress, which will be held in Hangzhou, China.
A century on from his maternal grandfather’s gold medal, a visibly touched Prince Albert II of Monaco has commemorated his family’s Olympic legacy by presenting the 2024 winners of the rowing double sculls with their prizes.
On Friday 2nd August, Prince Albert was honoured with the task of handing out the Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals for the men’s rowing double sculls at a prize giving ceremony at the Vaires-sur-Marne water sports stadium.
As he placed the medals around the necks of the victorious Romanian team, headed up by Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache, the pride in which Monaco’s sovereign took in participating in the event was clear for all to see, with a warm and heartfelt smile brightening his face.
It is 100 years exactly since John B. Kelly, the father of Prince Albert’s mother, Princess Grace, won gold with his partner, Paul Costello, in the very same discipline during the 1924 Olympics in France.
John B. Kelly is pictured on the right, with Paul Costello on the left. Photo via Palais Princier de Monaco
It was his third gold, making Kelly the first rower to ever win three Olympic gold medals in the sport.
HONOURING JOHN B. KELLY
Following the ceremony, the Prince was invited to a reception organised by the International Rowing Federation in honour of his grandfather and his lasting legacy within the rowing community.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also attended the event alongside the president of the World Rowing Federation, Jean-Christophe Rolland, and several of Prince Albert’s extended family members.
A visibly moved Prince Albert was joined at the tribute event by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and the head of the World Rowing Federation, Jean-Christophe Rolland. Photo via Palais Princier de Monaco
“I was very honoured to present these medals,” the Prince later said in comments to the French press. “With my cousins from Philadelphia and my close friends, we thought of my grandfather. 100 ago, not quite on the same pool, but almost to the day, he won his third gold medal… My maternal grandfather was an extraordinary athlete, but he also had this beautiful vision of what the world should be, thanks also to sport. We were very happy to pay tribute to him.”
Art3f, the travelling art fair that introduces the latest trends and creators from the contemporary art world to more than half a million people in Europe every year, will be returning to the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille later this month.
Back in 2012, a group of art lovers got together and created Art3f with the goal of breaking down the barriers of the art world and making contemporary art more accessible.
Today, the concept is regularly welcomed by cities and exhibition centres across Europe – some 20 different locations will be hosting Art3f during 2024 – and upwards of 500,000 visitors browse the eclectic collections displayed at the show each year.
“In order to offer the public artistic events that are both original, affordable and qualitative, Art3f shakes up the codes of traditional contemporary art fairs by favouring the direct relationship between artists and their public,” say Art3f organisers.
Monaco has been on the show’s list of stops since 2014, and has become a popular destination with exhibitors and visitors alike.
The show is set to be held at the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille between 23rd and 25th August. A whole array of styles and artistic genres will be on display, and a charitable auction benefitting a number of local associations is being organised for the final day of the event.
Tickets cost €7 if purchased in advance or €10 at the door. For more information about the Principality leg of Art3f, click here.
Monaco is leading the way in ocean conservation and sustainability, driven by the vision of Prince Albert II and the dedicated efforts of his Foundation. In this interview, Monaco Life’s Editor in Chief Cassandra Tanti delves into milestone ocean initiatives with Olivier Wenden, CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, including the game-changing $100 million ReOcean Fund.
Olivier Wenden was appointed as the Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation by the Prince in 2019. He has played a crucial role in the Foundation’s international growth and its fundraising strategy.
Monaco Life: Monaco made history in May by becoming the first European and Mediterranean state to ratify the Agreement on the High Seas, known as the BBNJ Agreement. Can you tell us more about the BBNJ Agreement and its importance?
Olivier Wenden: The BBNJ Agreement reinforces an existing treaty on The Law of the Sea and is a groundbreaking step towards the comprehensive regulation of the high seas, which constitute 70% of the global ocean. Historically, this vast area has been unregulated, essentially belonging to no one, which left it vulnerable to unregulated fishing, shipping, mining, and other activities. The agreement, reached after 20 years of negotiations, represents a major shift in our approach to ocean governance. By bringing this area under regulation, we can now implement measures to protect marine biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of marine resources, and address issues such as overfishing and pollution. Given that the ocean covers 70% of our planet and the high seas make up 70% of that area, this agreement is crucial for the health of our oceans and, by extension, the health of our planet.
What role did Monaco play in securing this agreement?
Monaco has always been a strong advocate for ocean conservation. Our Principality was the fourth country to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, and the first European and Mediterranean state to do so. This early ratification demonstrates Monaco’s commitment to leading by example in environmental stewardship.
Monaco’s proactive stance has been instrumental in pushing the agenda forward, both by rallying other nations to join the agreement and by participating in the international dialogue that shaped it. Our involvement underscores the importance of small states in driving global environmental policies and highlights Monaco’s dedication to marine conservation, which is a key priority for us.
Prince Albert II at the Young Activists Summit. Photo source: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
What are the next steps for the BBNJ Agreement?
Now that the agreement has been reached at the United Nations’ level, the next critical step is ratification by at least 60 countries. This is necessary for the agreement to come into force. Each country must go through its own parliamentary procedures to ratify it, which can be time-consuming. The UN Ocean Conference, which will be hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice in June 2025, will be a significant event where we aim to gather more support for ratification.
Additionally, Monaco will host a Blue Economy and Finance Forum on 7th and 8th June 2025, at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron. This forum will be crucial in engaging major financial stakeholders and convincing them that investing in the Blue Economy is not just philanthropy, but a viable and profitable part of the real economy.
What other key agreements are in place to protect the ocean and biodiversity?
In addition to the BBNJ Agreement, there are several other key agreements aimed at protecting our oceans and biodiversity. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted in December 2022 and commits UN member states to protecting 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030. However, there has been no progress; we are behind schedule on every aspect of this framework.
Another significant agreement under negotiation is the Plastics Treaty, which aims to end plastic pollution by 2024 through the establishment of a circular economy. This would ensure that all plastics are responsibly managed throughout their lifecycle, from production and use to end-of-life disposal, ultimately leading to a climate-neutral plastics industry. These agreements are critical in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
After 20 years of talks, things are now moving. Too slow for sure, but it is finally time for the ocean.
Listen to the full interview with Cassandra Tanti in our Podcast on Spotify…
How is the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation contributing to these efforts?
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is actively contributing to these global efforts through various initiatives. One of our major undertakings is the Re-Ocean Fund, a Private Equity Fund launched to invest in the Blue Economy. It took us two years to assess the market and identify the Blue Economy as the fastest-growing sector of the global economy today. This fund focuses on five key areas: blue food, like plant-based steaks which are becoming more popular in Europe; plastic – pollution prevention or plastic alternatives; green shipping and yachting; data – including AI – to improve energy efficiency, preserve fish stocks, prevent whale collisions with ships, etc.; and ecosystem protection and restoration, which is the least documented pillar of investment, but it is definitely an area of great development. So these five verticals can bring innovative solutions to Monaco, which can then be presented to the world as viable options.
The Blue Economy today is what the Green Economy was 15 years ago, and we see a massive potential for growth and impact. By investing in these areas, we aim to drive sustainable development and create economic opportunities while also protecting marine ecosystems.
What challenges do you see in achieving these goals?
There are several significant challenges we face in achieving these goals. One major challenge is the need to establish more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Currently, the high seas are largely unregulated, and MPAs have proven to be the best tool for allowing marine life to thrive by reducing human pressures. However, establishing and enforcing MPAs requires significant resources and international cooperation. As Conservationist Enric Sala, a good friend of Monaco, explained in Athens during the Our Ocean Conference, we need to create 40 new MPAs per day until the year 2030 to meet the 30×30 objective (which aims to protect 30% of the Mediterranean Sea by 2030). It seems incredibly hard to reach that objective, but sometimes you have to dream big to meet reasonable objectives.
While it is easy to declare an MPA on paper, the aim is to have fully protected marine areas. Therefore, we have pooled our resources and expertise with the Bertarelli Foundation to co-design an agreement that funds fully protected marine areas.
Olivier Wenden at the Ocean Innovators Platform. Photo courtesy Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Another challenge is addressing plastic pollution, which is pervasive and requires a comprehensive approach to manage. Our initiatives, such as BeMed for plastic pollution and the MedFund for MPAs, are designed to address these challenges by scaling successful projects globally. We also need to shift the narrative and approach towards ocean conservation, moving from a purely philanthropic model to one that includes substantial private sector investment. This requires convincing investors of the economic potential of the Blue Economy and demonstrating that sustainable investments can yield significant returns.
Can you explain how the Blue Economy is central in addressing these challenges?
The Blue Economy is crucial because it addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. When we embarked on this journey with the private sector, we identified a significant financing gap for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 ‘Life Underwater’, which the World Economic Forum estimates at roughly $175 billion per year. To bridge this gap, we targeted major players in the private sector, such as the shipping and fishing industries, as well as sovereign funds, pension funds, and banks.
Scientists have warned about the deteriorating state of our oceans for over 70 years, but nothing has really changed. Recently, however, the economic landscape has matured, making it the right moment to scale up efforts and address these issues with key industry players through initiatives like our ReOcean private equity fund. The narrative we promote is that investing in the Blue Economy offers massive potential returns and economic opportunities while positively impacting ecosystems. Instead of merely appealing to conservation for its own sake, we emphasise the tangible economic benefits and sustainable impact, which is a more pragmatic and effective approach.
The private equity fund, which is a joint venture with Monaco Asset Management, is a 10-year programme. We have a governing body that is made up of an investment committee, an advisory committee, and an impact committee. The beauty of this fund is, given the expertise of its members, that we can have an expert understanding of the potential impact, be it good or bad, on the ecosystem of a potential investment.
The committee also possesses veto power to block investments if there are concerns about an impact on the environment, or the ethics or governance of a company that we are interested in. This is what makes us different from the other 44 Blue Funds on the market.
So, I reiterate that there is a $175 billion gap per year in funding, and only 44 Blue Funds today in existence, all in the vicinity of $100 to $150 million to be deployed. You can see the massive short fall there. The aim of the ReOcean Fund is to scale up existing solutions that work; 80% of the fund will be targeted to companies in growth, Series B, and this is where the largest gap in financing exists currently.
Environmental Photography Award 2024, Olivier Wenden with winner Aaron Gekoski, photo courtesy Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
How does the Foundation engage with the local community in Monaco?
Engaging with the local community in Monaco is a key aspect of our work. We have launched initiatives such as the Environmental Photography Awards and the Green Shift Festival to raise awareness and inspire action. These initiatives aim to move beyond intellectual discussions of ecology and create emotional connections with environmental issues. The Environmental Photography Awards, for instance, showcase powerful images that highlight the beauty and fragility of our natural world, while the Green Shift Festival combines art, music, and philosophy to inspire a positive vision for the future. These events help to engage the local community, including families and young people, and foster a sense of collective responsibility for environmental protection.
How has the Foundation evolved under your leadership over the past five years?
Over the past five years, the Foundation has undergone significant evolution. We have structured a new vision and strategy, focusing on strengthening our relationship with the private sector and launching new initiatives. The pandemic, despite its challenges, provided a unique moment of pause that allowed us to rethink our approach and develop a comprehensive strategy for the next five years. This includes the launch of new programmes on land, forest, and community conservation, as well as joint efforts to address polar region challenges. We’ve also expanded our team to 30 members and opened a new office in São Paulo to enhance our global impact. This expansion will allow us to support local communities and deploy new projects that address both environmental and social challenges.
The Foundation’s achievements are a testament to the dedication of our team, the support of our donors, and the visionary leadership of our chairman, Prince Albert II.
Prince Albert II with Olivier Wenden at the Polar Symposium hosted in Monaco. Photo courtesy Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
What are the Foundation’s future goals and upcoming initiatives?
Looking ahead, we have several ambitious goals and initiatives planned. One of the key upcoming events is the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, which we will host in Monaco on 7th and 8th June 2025. This forum aims to bring together major financial stakeholders to discuss and promote investment in the Blue Economy. We also hope to have the first closing of over 100 million euros in fundraising for the ReOcean Fund by next June, with the goal of deploying capital to promising Blue Economy ventures. The fact that the Blue Economy and Finance Forum is being held in Monaco is a significant acknowledgement of Prince Albert’s vision and long-running leadership on this topic. It is also huge momentum for everyone involved – the Foundation, the Monaco Government, the Oceanographic Museum, the Scientific Centre of Monaco – to showcase the successes and new projects that we will be driving.
There is also the Osaka World Expo, which will provide significant platforms to showcase our initiatives on land and at sea.
Then we have the 20th anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2026, which is very significant.
But essentially, our goal is to continue to scale successful solutions and drive global change.
