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Month: March 2025

Monaco secures recognition of sport as a tool for gender equality at UN in New York

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/03/2025

Monaco has reaffirmed its dedication to gender equality by taking part in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York from 10th to 21st March. Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the event focused on key global challenges, and Monaco was there to showcase the progress it has made.

During the general discussion, Alyson Calem-Sangiorgio, Second Secretary at Monaco’s Permanent Mission to the UN, highlighted the steps the Principality has taken to advance gender equality. She spoke about Monaco’s efforts to update outdated laws, the creation of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, and initiatives aimed at improving women’s access to education and healthcare. She also stressed the importance of training programmes for professionals who assist women facing violence.

A renewed global push for equality

The session ended with a political declaration, agreed upon by all participants, reinforcing the urgent need to fully implement the Beijing action plan. While progress has been made, major challenges remain, and Monaco joined the international call to break down barriers and keep pushing for lasting change.

Sport as a driver for empowerment

One of Monaco’s key contributions this year was ensuring that sport was recognised as a powerful tool for empowering women and girls. Thanks to Monaco’s input, the final declaration now includes sport alongside education, digital access, and healthcare as key areas where equality must be improved. The declaration also calls for an end to all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, reinforcing Monaco’s commitment to this cause.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, source: Wikicommons

Culinary showdown awaits at the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Superyacht Chef Competition

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025
Superyacht Chef Competition

In two weeks’ time, the Yacht Club de Monaco will welcome nine top shortlisted chefs to the sixth edition of the Superyacht Chef Competition, an event that celebrates culinary artistry within the elite world of luxury yachting. The chefs, who all work aboard yachts ranging from 36 to 97 metres, will be put through their paces as they fight to showcase their prowess and creativity under strict time constraints.

Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco’s (YCM) La Belle Classe Academy in collaboration with Bluewater, the competition is set to take place on 3rd April.

The event has been designed to spotlight the exceptional dining experiences available on superyachts, with Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the YCM, noting, “The Superyacht Chef Competition personifies the culinary art and maritime excellence alliance.”

A test of skill

The competition is not just about technical ability; it is also a test of ingenuity and adaptability. Chefs will only discover their “mystery basket” of ingredients moments before they begin cooking, giving them just five minutes to devise a recipe. Improvisation is crucial, as is a commitment to sustainability—any wasted ingredients will result in penalties.

Adding an extra layer of excitement, spectators have the opportunity to introduce a surprise ingredient into the mix, ensuring that no two dishes are alike. The public will also help determine the best presentation, making for an interactive and engaging culinary event.

Among this year’s competitors is Francesco Federico Benassi from the 50-metre Sanlorenzo yacht Almax.

Chef Benassi sees the competition as more than just a challenge, saying, “Cooking is my passion and my form of expression. I often use seawater in my seafood dishes to enhance natural flavours, bringing the essence of the ocean to the plate. This competition is an opportunity to push my limits, learn from other incredible chefs and create dishes that tell my story.”

The competition will once again be overseen by esteemed culinary figures, including Joël Garault and Frédéric Ramos, the President and Vice-President of the Monaco Goût et Saveurs association. They will be joined by Chef Philippe Joannès, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and the YCM’s Food & Beverage Director, as well as Chef Simon Ganache, Head of Events at the YCM.

For the first time, Guillaume Gomez, France’s Ambassador of Gastronomy, will act as a patron of the competition. Meanwhile, Jean-François Girardin, President of the Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, will chair the international jury. A former chef at the Ritz for over three decades, Girardin replaces Glenn Viel in leading the panel.

Accompanying him will be an impressive lineup of judges, including Brit Mark Reynolds, President of the Craft Guild of Chefs; Frenchman Ronan Cadorel, an esteemed chef currently based at the Royal Mansour in Casablanca; Jeeny Maltese from Venezuela, a Latin American cuisine expert; the UK’s Duncan Biggs, an experienced superyacht chef and co-founder of Ocean Wave Monaco; and Brazilian Paulo Ucha Longhin, the winner of the 2024 edition.

Read related:

Pierre Gagnaire and Anne-Sophie Pic to star at 2025’s Festival des Etoilés Monte-Carlo

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo credit: Sebastian Coman, Pexels

Monaco Ambassadors Club to roll out red carpet for Flavio Briatore

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025

The Monaco Ambassadors Club is gearing up for an unforgettable night of glitz, celebration and charitable giving at the highly anticipated Goodwill Ambassadors Gala in early April. Themed It’s Good to Be Flavio, the red carpet-style event will set the stage for an evening honouring Flavio Briatore for his tireless philanthropic efforts, as the Italian entrepreneur is proclaimed Goodwill Ambassador of the Year.

The Goodwill Ambassadors Gala, a highlight of the Monaco Ambassadors Club’s social calendar, will take place on 4th April in the elegant Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris. This year’s event, named in honour of the man of the hour, Flavio Briatore, is set to be an extraordinary red carpet affair filled with generosity, glamour and a spirit of giving.

Co-chaired by Christian Moore and Filippo Ghirelli, the It’s Good to Be Flavio event will also welcome Prince Albert II. In a moment of great distinction, the Prince will present Briatore with an honorary award recognising his outstanding charitable contributions and philanthropic programmes.

“We felt that it was important to honour Flavio Briatore for his global contributions, including the creation of thousands of  jobs for young people, and to celebrate his dedication, success, and lasting positive impact as a source of inspiration,” said Alessandra Sparaco, General Secretary of the MAC. 

Briatore is well known as the founder of the Billionaire Society in 1988. He currently serves as Executive Advisor for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, having previously helmed the Benetton and Renault F1 teams as Team Principal. He has also made a name for himself in the hospitality industry with numerous venues, including Cipriani and Cova. He recently sold Twiga Monte Carlo, along with three other venues outside the Principality, to fellow Italian Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and his new LMDV Hospitality group.

See more: Flavio Briatore sells Twiga Monte Carlo and other venues to Italian billionaire

On the entertainment side, the upcoming gala promises an atmosphere of excitement and fun with a top-tier auction. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on an array of spectacular items, with all proceeds benefiting the local charity Les Enfants de Frankie, which has been dedicated to improving the daily lives and well-being of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in Monaco and France since 1997. Francien Giraudi, the founder of Les Enfants de Frankie, was the Monaco Ambassadors Club’s 2023 Goodwill Ambassador.

See more: Photos: Francien Giraudi announced as new Goodwill Ambassador for the MAC

The world-renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury will oversee the auction. Among the exclusive treasures up for grabs are a prized IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Muhammad Ali Limited Edition timepiece from Prince Albert’s personal collection, a luxurious getaway to Kenya generously donated by Briatore himself, an extravagant weekend aboard the mega yacht Anjelif, a DB Design Original 1967 Vespa and a HATT et SÖNER Personal Vintage Champagne Experience.

Guests can also look forward to performances by the sensational Alessandro Ristori and music by DJ Francis, who will keep the energy high throughout the night. With music, fine dining and philanthropy interwoven into the fabric of the evening, guests will revel in a truly magical experience.

Read related:

Photos: Monaco Ambassadors Club honours Umberto Tozzi at Goodwill Ambassadors Awards

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo provided

Elite show jumping to take centre stage as Longines Global Champions Tour returns to Port Hercule this summer

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025

Tickets are now available for the prestigious Monaco leg of the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour, set to take place from 3rd to 5th July in Port Hercule. This much-anticipated equestrian event, a highlight in the sport’s calendar, promises three days of world-class show jumping in one of the tour’s most challenging and glamourous arenas.

Founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops, the Longines Global Champions Tour includes up to 15 rounds of competition around the world, including here in Monaco with the Jumping International Monte-Carlo event, which has, over the last 18 years, established itself as one of the most anticipated rounds on the Tour.

Renowned for its compact and technical arena, the competition attracts the world’s elite riders and horses, who compete against the unique backdrop of Monaco’s iconic waterfront, with its views of superyachts and the Prince’s Palace. It is widely considered to be one of the most challenging stages on not only the Longines Global Champions Tour but also the entire international five-star horse jumping circuit.

See more: Inès Joly wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix

Charlotte Casiraghi, the niece of Prince Albert II of Monaco and a keen equestrian, will once again be assuming the mantle of the event’s Honorary President. The greater Grimaldi family, including Casiraghi’s mother, Princess Caroline of Hanover, and the Prince himself, are often seen attending the competition, helping solidify its status as one of the Principality’s significant sporting events, alongside the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

For those interested in attending, a variety of ticket options are available, ranging from general admission to VIP packages that offer access to exclusive areas, gourmet dining experiences and premium viewing locations. Given the event’s enduring popularity and limited seating, early booking is highly recommended.

To purchase tickets and for more detailed information on the event schedule and offerings, click here.

Read related:

From a Princely hobby horse to a renowned international setting: A brief history of equestrianism in Monaco

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Longines Global Champions Tour 

CSM scientist sounds alarm on plastic pollution’s devastating impact on tropical coral reefs

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025

In a groundbreaking study set to be published in the April 2025 issue of Science of the Total Environment, a team of researchers, including Christine Ferrier-Pâgès, Research Director of the Ecophysiology and Ecology Team at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, has shed new light on how microplastic pollution and heat stress are impacting tropical corals. The study explores the intricate interplay between plastic pollution and coral physiology, as well as the long-term effects of climate change on the species’ survival.

Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”, face mounting challenges from climate change and pollution. Among these threats, microplastics and heat stress have emerged as some of the most significant disruptors of reefs—vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide coastal protection and sustain human livelihoods—by interfering with coral photosynthesis and growth.

Tiny plastic particles can lead to coral bleaching and tissue necrosis, jeopardising the delicate balance of reef ecosystems. Bleaching occurs when corals lose their symbiotic algae, a necessary energy source, forcing them to rely on plankton consumption for survival. However, until now, the extent to which plankton availability mitigates the effects of plastic pollution has remained unclear, leaving only part of the picture in focus.

See more: Jean-Jacques Risso takes the helm at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco

To bridge this knowledge gap, a research team led by Christine Ferrier-Pâgès, Research Director of the Ecophysiology and Ecology Team at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, along with collaborators María Antonieta López, Vanessa Tirpitz, Marie-Sa Do, Martin Czermak, Jessica Reichert and Maren Ziegler, conducted a six-week aquarium experiment followed by a short-term heat stress test on two coral species, Pocillopora verrucosa and Stylophora pistillata.

The study evaluated three distinct conditions. The first was a control group, in which corals received bi-weekly feeding without microplastic exposure. The second group was exposed to microplastics while also receiving bi-weekly feeding. Finally, the third group was exposed to microplastics but received daily feeding.

By measuring coral growth, photosynthesis and tissue composition, the study sought to determine how feeding influenced resilience to microplastic pollution.

Key findings

The research revealed surprising outcomes. While coral growth remained largely unaffected across all treatments, P. verrucosa exhibited a decline in energy reserves due to microplastic exposure. However, increased plankton feeding helped mitigate this loss, stabilising photosynthesis and respiration rates. Despite these benefits, when subjected to heat stress, all corals experienced severe bleaching. Interestingly, the microplastic-exposed corals showed slightly less bleaching, suggesting an unexpected interaction between plastic pollution and thermal stress.

As ocean temperatures rise and microplastics continue to accumulate, understanding their combined effects on coral resilience is crucial. This study highlights the need for further research to uncover the mechanisms driving these interactions. With coral reefs already facing unprecedented challenges, the findings underscore the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and climate change in tandem.

This research represents a critical step towards unravelling the complexities of coral survival in an era of environmental crisis. Scientific insights will continue to be invaluable in shaping conservation strategies and safeguarding the future of coral reefs worldwide.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Francesco Ungaro, Pexels

Djaïli Amadou Amal shares a special literary moment with Monaco’s students

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/03/2025

Monaco’s high school students are in for a unique experience as Cameroonian author Djaïli Amadou Amal visits the Principality as part of the annual literary encounters programme organised by the Department of National Education, Youth, and Sports (DENJS).

Her novel Les Impatientes, which won the Goncourt des Lycéens prize in 2020, has made a huge impact, establishing her as a major voice in contemporary literature. She’s also the first African author to reach the final selection for the prestigious Goncourt Prize. With recent conferences in the United States and Geneva, she’s now bringing her powerful storytelling to Monaco.

A rare chance for students to meet a top author

Each year, the DENJS gives students the chance to meet well-known writers, making literature more accessible and engaging. After welcoming names like Carole Martinez, Maryline Desbiolles, and Gilles Marchand, it’s now Djaïli Amadou Amal’s turn to share her journey. From 17th to 22nd March, she’ll be meeting 14 classes across Monaco’s three high schools—around 350 students in total. Having already read Les Impatientes, they’ll get the chance to ask her questions and dive deeper into the book’s themes in an intimate classroom setting. It’s an exciting opportunity for young readers to connect with the author behind the words.

A powerful story that sparks conversation

Les Impatientes has struck a chord with students, bringing out strong emotions and deep discussions, especially around some of its more intense scenes. The novel ties in closely with their curriculum, particularly with Olympe de Gouges’ Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, studied in preparation for the French Baccalaureate. Djaïli Amadou Amal’s visit will add a modern, real-world perspective to these important conversations about women’s rights and equality.

A celebration of the French language

Her visit also falls during Francophonie Week, making it the perfect time to highlight the diversity of the French language worldwide. Many students were surprised to learn that French is the official language of Cameroon, showing them how Francophonie extends far beyond Europe. With engaging discussions and thought-provoking ideas, these literary meetings are a great reminder of how books can open minds and spark important conversations.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department