Monaco’s ambassadors gather for annual diplomatic conference at Hôtel Hermitage

Monaco’s Department of External Relations and Cooperation welcomed the Principality’s ambassadors for their traditional diplomatic conference at the Hôtel Hermitage on the 23rd and 24th April 2025. Sixteen ambassadors representing Monaco’s interests around the world were present for this important two-day meeting.

This year’s conference was chaired by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of State ad interim and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who opened proceedings by reaffirming the Principality’s core values on the international stage. “The Principality’s international action is based on values upheld by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince: peace, first and foremost, as the guarantee of security and the well-being of peoples; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, universal principles defended with determination; and international solidarity, essential to meet global challenges, whether environmental, political, or economic,” she said.

Throughout the two days of exchanges, key issues were addressed, including an economic update on the Principality by Pierre-André Chiappori, Minister of Finance and Economy; Monaco’s environmental commitments presented by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Planning; and an update on Monaco’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, shared by Mireille Martini, General Commissioner of Monaco Pavilion (via videoconference), and Didier Gamerdinger, Ambassador of Monaco to Japan.

The conference concluded with a presentation of Monaco’s international cooperation achievements from 2022 to 2024, as well as the announcement of strategic priorities for the next cycle. Ambassadors then enjoyed a visit to the Grimaldi Forum, where they explored the venue’s achievements over the past 25 years and discovered its impressive new extension, a milestone that reflects Monaco’s growing international and cultural footprint.

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Photo source: Government Communication Department

EthCC[8] heads to Cannes amid pivotal moment for Ethereum’s global evolution

World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival

Ethereum enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world are set to gather in Cannes this summer for EthCC[8], Europe’s largest annual Ethereum conference, taking place from 30th June to 3rd July at the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

This year’s edition marks a major milestone not only for the event itself — being hosted in Cannes for the first time — but also for Ethereum’s position in the broader financial and technological landscape. With major players like Robinhood, PayPal, and Worldcoin stepping forward as key supporters, EthCC[8] underscores the growing mainstream confidence in Ethereum’s evolving infrastructure.

The conference comes at a particularly exciting time for Ethereum, as anticipation builds around the upcoming Pectra upgrade, scheduled for later this year. Designed to significantly enhance scalability and efficiency, Pectra is expected to usher in a new era for the network, making it faster, more accessible, and better integrated into global financial systems. Analysts are already speculating that the improvements could trigger a bullish trend, further cementing Ethereum’s role at the core of the next digital revolution.

EthCC[8] promises an impressive lineup of speakers, including Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, Merlin Egalite, Co-Founder of Morpho, Ed Felten, Co-Founder of Offchain Labs (the team behind Arbitrum), Andrew O’Neill, Managing Director at S&P Global Ratings, and Adam Levine, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Fireblocks. Their participation highlights the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of Ethereum’s development, bridging blockchain innovation with traditional finance and beyond.

Organised by Ethereum France — a nonprofit previously known as ASSETH — the conference aims to democratise blockchain knowledge across French-speaking countries and make Ethereum’s potential accessible to all. With workshops, keynote addresses, and extensive networking opportunities, EthCC[8] will once again serve as a catalyst for the ideas and partnerships shaping the future of decentralised technology.

For those passionate about the future of finance, technology, and decentralised innovation, EthCC[8] in Cannes is set to be an unmissable highlight of the 2025 calendar.

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Renzo Rosso and Arianna Alessi honoured at Monte-Carlo Fashion Week for championing change in the fashion world

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2025 continued its tradition of celebrating innovation and responsibility with a special spotlight on two of the industry’s most influential change-makers: Renzo Rosso, Chairman and Founder of OTB Group, and Arianna Alessi, Vice President of OTB Foundation. The duo was honoured at the Fashion Awards Ceremony on 24th April for their outstanding contributions to sustainable fashion and social impact.

Renzo Rosso, widely known as the driving force behind iconic fashion labels such as Diesel and Marni, was presented with the Positive Change Award. The accolade recognises leaders who are not only shaping the future of fashion through creativity and business acumen but also pushing the boundaries of ethical responsibility within the industry. Rosso’s approach to fashion combines entrepreneurial flair with an unwavering commitment to environmental and social progress.

“Creating fashion today means more than just designing clothes—it means creating positive impact,” said Rosso, accepting the award. “I believe in using the power of business to do good, and we must all be bold enough to lead by example.”

Alongside Rosso, Arianna Alessi was awarded the Positive Social Impact Award in recognition of her tireless work with the OTB Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the group. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown into a global force for good, investing in more than 380 social projects since its creation in 2006. The initiatives span a broad spectrum of issues, including children’s welfare, women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and emergency humanitarian support.

“Real change happens when people feel seen, heard, and supported,” said Alessi. “Our mission has always been to go beyond charity—to create sustainable, scalable solutions that can genuinely transform lives.”

Together, Rosso and Alessi exemplify a new model of fashion leadership—one that prioritises purpose alongside profit. Their dual honours at Monte-Carlo Fashion Week serve as a powerful endorsement of the growing call for ethical and impactful innovation within the luxury industry.

Held from 22nd to 26th April, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week continues to evolve as a platform for forward-thinking creatives and brands, amplifying the message that glamour and responsibility are not mutually exclusive.

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Photo source: MCFW

Formula E backs Monaco non-profit with €25,000 donation to advance gender equality

In the lead-up to the 2025 Monaco E-Prix, Formula E has announced a €25,000 donation to SheCanHeCan, a local non-profit working to promote gender equality and menstrual equity through education and access.

The donation is part of Formula E’s Better Futures Fund, which supports community initiatives in each race location. This year, SheCanHeCan’s Monarègles project is the chosen beneficiary in Monaco. The initiative aims to make the Principality the world’s first period-equal country by providing free organic period products and fostering inclusive menstrual education in schools, public spaces, and workplaces.

Vibeke Thomsen, Founder and Director of SheCanHeCan, said: “The financial support from Formula E will enable SheCanHeCan to profoundly transform the conversation around periods in high-performance sports, while rendering visible female athletes and creating inclusive spaces for the communities in Formula E host cities.”

She added: “With the support of Formula E, we aspire to make Monaco the first period-equal country in the world, providing a more inclusive environment for all team members and improving our community’s quality of life.”

The funding will allow SheCanHeCan to deliver workshops to all Year 8 students in Monaco in the coming academic year, while also expanding access to menstrual products and education to more than 1,400 people across the Principality.

“At Formula E, sustainability extends beyond environmental impact – it’s also about creating fairer, more inclusive societies,” said Julia Pallé, Vice President of Sustainability at Formula E. “By partnering with an organisation that is leading the charge in period equity, we’re using our global platform to break taboos, raise awareness, and drive lasting change.”

During race weekend on the 3rd and 4th May, SheCanHeCan will also host awareness events and participate in Formula E’s FIA Girls on Track programme. Organic period products will be available at Formula E-managed facilities throughout the event.

This season, the Better Futures Fund will distribute €25,000 to local causes in each of its 10 host cities, totalling €250,000 in charitable support.

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Photos: Princess Charlene leads day of aquatic awareness at Louis-ii Stadium

Ahead of the 2025 Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament, Princess Charlene welcomed over 100 children to a special Water Safety day aimed at teaching lifesaving skills and raising awareness of drowning prevention.

On Thursday 24th April, the swimming pool of the Louis-II Stadium in Monaco was transformed into a hub of learning and laughter as the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation hosted its latest Water Safety initiative. The morning event, which took place in advance of the international Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament this weekend, was attended by Princess Charlene herself and brought together children from nine different nations for a dynamic introduction to aquatic rescue.

Photo source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

Organised under the direction of Pierre Frolla, world champion freediver and Ambassador of the Foundation, the event was part of the foundation’s broader mission to combat drowning worldwide — a cause close to the Princess’s heart. With support from the Monegasque Academy of the Sea, children aged 8 to 12 were guided through a series of workshops combining hands-on water safety instruction with team-building games.

The 108 children in attendance represented the nine international teams participating in this year’s tournament — hailing from Mauritius, Ecuador, New Zealand, Argentina, the USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, and Georgia. For many of them, it was their very first experience of formal aquatic rescue training.

Photo source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

The aquatic programme included modules such as CPR basics, water polo, rescue techniques using tubes and pulling methods, non-swimmer ball games, diving board challenges, and an obstacle course. Alongside the poolside sessions, three land-based workshops were offered by the Monaco Red Cross, the Monaco Anti-Doping Committee, and the Monaco Olympic Committee, promoting holistic values around health, responsibility, and teamwork.

“This kind of day is about more than just swimming,” said Pierre Frolla. “It’s about empowering young people to act in emergencies, to understand water risks, and to support each other — wherever they come from, whatever sport they play.”

Photo source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

As the children left the poolside with beaming smiles, many having completed CPR and rescue drills for the first time, the message was clear: water safety saves lives — and learning it can be fun, too.

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Photos source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation