The inaugural Latin America Charity Ball in Monaco has raised almost €67,000 for a child protection project in Panama. Among the VIP guests at the soirée was the First Lady of Panama, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, who thanked those gathered for their “warmth and generosity”.
On 3rd October, Monaco Life attended the inaugural edition of MeConnet’s Latin America Charity Ball at the Yacht Club de Monaco alongside more than 230 other guests, including the First Lady of Panama, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, and Daniela Spanier, the president of MeConnect. The glamourous evening ultimately raised €66,700 for an AMADE-based project to prevent child sexual abuse in Panama.
“I am truly honoured to be here tonight, witnessing the warmth and generosity of the Principality,” said Cohen de Mulino. “I hope that, just as I have had the chance to experience your culture, you will also have the opportunity to discover the beauty of Panama.”
The soirée’s guests were treated to a fully immersive experience celebrating Panamanian culture. The night’s entertainment included traditional Caribbean folkloric music and a sustainable fashion show, while top chefs such as Charlie Collins, Cuquita Arias de Calvo and Issamary Sanchez Gonzales crafted a diverse culinary menu representing the rich flavours of the nation.
Prominent Panamanian figures from the world of culture and society were also in attendance. Artist Olga Sinclair, musician Ana Carla Maza and sculptor Ricardo Velasquez were each honoured with the Latin American Impact Award for their societal contributions on the night. The award had been designed by Brazilian artist and Monaco resident Marcos Marin.
The AMADE-backed child protection initiative will train 1,000 parents and 200 teachers in Panama to recognise, prevent and report cases of child sexual abuse in three districts. In collaboration with Panama’s Ministry of Education, it will also educate over 6,000 children aged four to 11 in six schools.
The MeConnect organisation, which organised the charity ball, has previously launched projects such as No Finish Line in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and is preparing to introduce similar initiatives in Panama in the coming months.
See more of the event in the Monaco Life video below and scroll down to see more photos from the event:
Christian Garcia, the Head Chef at the Palais Princier de Monaco, has travelled to Italy for the annual meeting of the ultra-elite Club des Chefs des Chefs. Garcia, who is the reigning president of the exclusive club, joined other chefs of world leaders in Parma to explore the finer points of Italian gastronomy at the behest of the event’s host, pasta-maker Barilla.
Since 1977, the Club des Chefs des Chefs has offered the chefs of heads of state and government with an opportunity to come together and celebrate the unique role of gastronomy in international exchange: in the words of the club’s founder, Gilles Bragard, “If politics divides men, a good table always reunites them.”
As such, the 32 talented members of the club, which includes the likes of the White House’s Executive Chef, Cristeta Comerford, the UK’s Mark Flanagan and Fabrice Desvignes of the Élysée Palace, strive to promote culinary traditions from around the world while protecting and honouring the origins of each nation’s cuisine. In recent years, the club has held its annual high-level gathering in the USA, Spain and France.
For the 2024 edition of the meeting, which took place in early October, the club headed to Italy for a series of events in Parma, where the acclaimed chefs were the guests of the famous pasta-making brand Barilla, and Rome.
The chefs, led by Monaco’s own Chef Garcia, who has been the president of the Club des Chefs des Chefs since 2007, were first treated to a conference with Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic. The group then headed to the Academia Barilla to explore ways in which they can incorporate and elevate one of Italy’s most representative exports: pasta.
“We are honoured to welcome the Club des Chefs des Chefs to the Barilla Food Academy to share a unique moment of togetherness and taste, celebrating pasta,” said Ilaria Rossi, Head of Academia Barilla. “This will also be an additional opportunity to support the spread of Italian gastronomic culture, in line with our mission to create a global culture of food.”
Garcia began working at the Palais Princier de Monaco at the tender age of 23, after being poached from the Hôtel de Paris for a temporary kitchen position that has become his lifelong career.
Later this month, the Flavien Foundation, a Monaco-based paediatric cancer charity, will be teaming up with the Novotel’s Azzurra Kitchen for a night of elegant dishes and delicious wines. The funds raised at the Dîner des Étoiles event will help support pioneering research projects in the field of childhood cancer.
An evening of culinary pleasure awaits on 31st October, a date when the Flavien Foundation will host its 10th Dîner des Étoiles fundraising event at the Novotel’s Azzurra Kitchen restaurant.
Chef Fred Ramos will be serving up a special menu with the help and support of the chefs from Monaco Goût et Saveurs, Le Grand Cordon d’Or, Les Sommeliers de Monaco, the Association des Maîtres d’Hôtel Italiens and two wine estates: the Domaine Juliette Avril and the Domaine Bousquet in Muscat de Rivesaltes.
Alongside the fine wines and gastronomic dishes, the event will provide the Flavien Foundation’s founder, Denis Maccario, with an opportunity to announce some exciting news and breakthroughs on the paediatric cancer therapy front.
As reported by Monaco Life last October, the Mependax (Medulloblastoma, EPENDymoma and AXitinib) clinical trial that was launched in June 2023 is now in full swing, with 36 young patients having been offered this less toxic treatment in eight facilities across France. Among these children is a small baby who was admitted to the programme at the age of just 10 months. This young patient is still alive, giving hope that this new method of paediatric cancer treatment and therapy is improving long-term recovery prospects.
The research that allowed the Mependax trials to become a reality was partly supported by funds raised by the Flavien Foundation. A number of scientists and researchers from the Centre Scientifique de Monaco were heavily involved in the work behind the study and trial, and key figures have been invited to speak about the project at the dinner at the end of this month.
Denis Maccario, the father of the foundation’s namesake, a young boy who was lost to cancer in 2014, has tirelessly campaigned in the battle against childhood cancer for at least the last decade. The foundation regularly puts on charity events during the year, including Trott’n’Roll, Pouce la Vie and Rockin’ Peille.
Spaces at the Dîner des Étoiles are limited. Tickets cost €150, with drinks included. To make a reservation for this special night, call +33 6 26 97 03 26. Click here for more information.
The sudden closure of Habitat on Avenue Saint Charles in 2023 has created an opportunity for a new business to occupy this prime 600m² location. The space is still available, but the deadline for applications by prospective tenants that was set by the Mairie de Monaco is approaching fast, with submissions closing on 31st October.
As reported by Monaco Life in July, the building where retail shop Habitat once resided is up for grabs.
The impressive premises and its annexes cover just over 600m² and include a 497m² space on the second floor, suitable for commercial enterprises, a 7m² entry-level window front, and 81m² of shared underground storage.
A location this large is a rarity in the space-strapped Principality, making it an incredible opportunity for an expanding company or large retail outlet. All businesses, except catering activities, will be considered for the address by the Mairie de Monaco.
Those interested in taking over the lease have until 31st October—extended from the prior deadline of 23rd August—to apply. Applicants will need to provide details such as nationality, the quality of the application file, local business interest, compliance with conditions, professional experience and financial solvency.
The lease term is seven years and will run at €305,000 per year, including taxes.
For more details, to apply, or to see all terms and conditions, click here.
The Établissement Français du Sang, France’s national blood bank, needs 60,000 new plasma donations by the end of 2025 to meet current needs. At a regional level, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur must find 5,000 new donors within the same time frame to maintain essential plasma supplies.
The demand for plasma, a blood component, is rising in France. Plasma is used by hospitals and the medical establishment to treat various conditions, such as immune deficiencies and haemophilia, as well as certain autoimmune and neurological disorders. Donated plasma is also essential in surgeries, both scheduled and emergency.
An additional 60,000 plasma donations will be needed by the end of 2025 if the Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) is to properly manage the growing demand. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region is particularly in need of new donors.
There are only 4,000 active plasma donors in PACA, which is insufficient to maintain healthy supplies. According to Endréa Ktorza-Buggiani, Regional Developer at Maison du Don de Nice, the region needs to recruit 5,000 new and regular donors by the end of next year.
PACA hospitals are among the best in France and attract patients from other areas who seek a higher quality of care. The region also hosts large numbers of tourists, some of whom require medical treatment. Additionally, the population of the region is aging, and older people tend to require more operations and hospital interventions.
The issue is compounded by the fact that around 170,000 people leave the national donor files each year, creating a shortage of donors.
How to donate
To make a plasma donation, potential donors can start by making an appointment at a donation centre. Appointments can be booked via the EFS website at www.dondesang.efs.sante.fr or through the Don de Sang app. PACA donation centres are located in Arles, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Nice and Toulon.
Donating plasma carries a lower risk and is less tiring than blood donation. The process is also relatively quick, taking only 45 minutes to an hour. Donors need to meet a few criteria: they must be over the age of 18, under 66, and weigh more than 55kg.
Monaco offers some of the most liberating laws globally for will drafting, but as Defence Lawyer Géraldine Gazo explains, there are significant considerations that international residents must be aware of.
Géraldine Gazo has practiced law for 25 years as an Avocat-Défenseur at the Monaco Bar, and is a Partner at CMS Monaco law firm, where she co-heads the Private Clients practice. She was instrumental in the drafting of the Monaco Private International Law Code in 2017, which had a profound impact on succession laws in Monaco, among other areas. The bill modernised Monaco’s Private International Law framework, making it more compatible with international standards and practices, providing clarity in matters of international succession and ensuring that Monaco remains an attractive jurisdiction for international residents and investors.
“The most interesting aspect of Private International Law for Monaco residents is the fact that a person can choose the law of the country of their nationality to govern the succession of their estate, rather than rely on the succession laws of Monaco,” says Géraldine Gazo. “This can have profound benefits for international residents living in Monaco. They can choose Monaco law or they can take the law of one of their nationalities depending on which law best suits their interests and those of their successors. But this choice must be expressly stated in a will.”
Géraldine Gazo, Avocat-Défenseur and Partner at CMS Monaco
Different types of wills
Before discussing the intricacies of wills, it is important to outline exactly which types of documents are legally accepted in Monaco.
Firstly, a Holographic Will (Testament Olographe) is entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator. It does not require witnesses or notarisation, but it must clearly express the testator’s wishes.
A Notarial Will (Testament Authentique) is drawn up by a notary in the presence of two witnesses or another notary. This type of will is considered very secure and less prone to challenges because it is officially recorded and the notary ensures that the legal requirements are met.
A Mystic Will (Testament Mystique) is written by the testator, either by hand or typed, and then sealed in an envelope. The sealed will is handed to a notary in the presence of two witnesses. The notary then drafts a statement that the will has been presented in this manner. The contents remain secret until the will is opened after the testator’s death.
“The most popular is Holographic Will, but the safest is the Notarial Will,” explains Ms Gazo.
New to Monaco? Make a will
“One of the first things I recommend to people who have just moved to Monaco, or are planning on moving to the Principality, is to choose the inheritance law that they want to be applied in their will,” stresses Ms Gazo. “Many of our clients think that because they drafted a will in their previous home country that everything is in order and they don’t need to think about it when they move to Monaco. But if they live and die while domicilied in Monaco, the inheritance law that applies will be the Monaco law, unless they organise it differently.”
Forced heirship laws in Monaco
A crucial facet of Monaco’s inheritance law is forced heirship, which applies primarily to descendants, such as children, and in some cases to ascendants. Forced heirship inheritance laws also apply in other civil law countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Brazil and Portugal.
Under Monaco’s forced heirship regulations, a portion of the deceased’s estate, known as the ‘reserved share’ or réserve héréditaire, must be allocated to certain heirs regardless of the will’s contents. If the deceased has children, half of the estate is reserved for one child, two-thirds of the estate is reserved if there are two children, and three-quarters of the estate is reserved if there are three or more children.
If the deceased has no descendants but has surviving parents or grandparents, one-quarter of the estate is reserved for the parents.
Remarkably, the surviving spouse is not included in the forced heirship provisions, a fact, says Ms Gazo, that draws gasps of astonishment from many spouses when she gives talks on the subject.
“Instead, the spouse may have other rights and entitlements over part of the estate under Monegasque law, depending on the specific circumstances and any prenuptial agreements or wills in place,” she explains.
Which countries allow for more freedom in their wills?
Countries that don’t provide forced heirship in their inheritance laws typically follow systems based on testamentary freedom and intestate succession. In these jurisdictions, like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, individuals generally have more freedom in distributing their assets according to their preferences, with fewer restrictions on how they do so.
Challenging a will
Even if an individual chooses inheritance law in their will, a beneficiary under forced heirship still has the possibility to challenge the distribution of assets.
“Take the example of a French person who lives in Monaco and wants to apply Monaco inheritance law and leave everything to his children, and nothing to his wife,” says Ms Gazo. “The wife can challenge the will, arguing that because her deceased husband was a French national, and under French law the wife has reserved rights, she is entitled to a share of his assets. This is one problem with article 63.2 of the code.”
The only way to get around this, says Ms Gazo, is to drop a nationality.
“This is why we encourage people to take advice before drafting a will,” she says. “Sometimes, we need to mastermind the situation, which can be quite difficult when people have three or four different nationalities. We have to check them all to see what the rights of forced heirship would be and then organise the will in a way so the client can distribute the assets exactly as they want, for a smooth transmission. It’s like making all the parts of a puzzle fit.”
Appointing a Testamentary Executor
Appointing a testamentary executor is crucial, especially for individuals with international assets, says Géraldine Gazo. A trusted executor can navigate legal complexities, manage assets across borders, and prevent family conflicts by making impartial decisions. They also ensure compliance with legal obligations, providing peace of mind and efficient estate administration.
If no executor is appointed, a notary in Monaco typically handles the process, with the courts providing necessary documentation. However, they do not manage affairs in other countries.
Everlasting Power of Attorney
An everlasting power of attorney is a document separate from a will, which allows an individual to designate someone to manage their assets and make decisions on their behalf in case they become mentally or physically incapacitated, either temporarily or indefinitely. This became especially popular during the Covid-19 pandemic. The designated person can handle tasks such as paying for university, managing bank accounts, and organising health care.
“In Monaco, if you become incapacitated without an appointed power of attorney, a special judge appoints a ‘tutor’ to manage your assets,” explains Ms Gazo. “It is therefore crucial to appoint an everlasting power of attorney, someone who understands you, your culture, and your financial habits.”
For everyday life, appointing a spouse or child is usually sufficient. However, for complex situations, such as running a large business, appointing a spouse who also has to care for you might not be practical, says Ms Gazo. In such cases, people often choose a professional or a business associate.
She adds that the structure of an everlasting power of attorney can also be tailored to an individual’s needs, with one person appointed to manage assets in another country, one person to manage an individual’s health care, and a professional to manage business affairs in Monaco.
Mirror Wills
A will drafted by an individual in Monaco is binding on assets in multiple countries. However, it is recommended that individuals create mirror wills, which are duplicates of the Monaco will, and deposit them in all the countries where they hold assets. “This ensures the will is recognised and enforced in each jurisdiction” explains Ms Gazo.
Inheritance Tax
It’s crucial to analyse the tax implications of inheritance, considering where the assets are located and who the beneficiaries will be. For a detailed discussion on this topic, refer to our article Tax Obligations in Monaco: What Every Resident Needs to Know.
The emotional side of drafting a will
Writing a will can be tough because it means facing your own mortality, which brings up fear, anxiety, and sadness. Family relationships can complicate things too, as deciding who gets what can reveal or create tensions and feelings of responsibility or resentment.
In the end, drafting a will is a deeply personal and emotional task because it involves planning for the end of your life and thinking about the impact on future generations.
However, as Géraldine Gazo points out, “if you’re residing in Monaco without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the country’s laws, and this may not match your wishes. Therefore, estate planning becomes essential for international residents”.
