Monaco welcomed Keisuke Shimoyamada, President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) for 2025, on Monday 28th April as part of celebrations for the organisation’s 110th anniversary.
Pierre-André Chiappori, Minister of Finance and Economy, received Shimoyamada at the Ministry offices, joined by members of the Jeune Chambre Économique de Monaco (JCEM), the local branch of the global youth leadership network. The meeting shone a spotlight on Monaco’s growing role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and international cooperation among young leaders.
JCI, with more than 150,000 members across 120 countries, champions projects focused on entrepreneurship, economic development, international collaboration and community impact. It works closely with major institutions including the United Nations and the International Chamber of Commerce, and leads initiatives such as the Universal Declaration of Human Duties, JCI in Business, and the Creative Young Entrepreneur competition — an idea that originated in Monaco.
During the meeting, Pierre-André Chiappori praised the drive of young entrepreneurs as a vital force shaping the Principality’s future, said the goverment in a press statement. He spoke about the importance of international networking in strengthening economic and social ties, positioning Monaco as a key supporter of global leadership initiatives.
Shimoyamada’s visit highlights the close links between Monaco and the global JCI network, and the Principality’s continued investment in the next generation of changemakers.
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Photo source: Manuel Vitale, Government Communication Department
Padel Best Village brings sport and business together at Grimaldi Forum in Monaco
The third edition of Padel Best Village concluded at the Grimaldi Forum on 28th April, with two days of tournaments, networking sessions and panel discussions bringing together athletes, business leaders and officials from across Europe.
Organised by Italian company BSG SRL under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Monaco, the event attracted hundreds of participants and spectators. It combined competitive padel matches with business forums addressing themes such as innovation in sport, sponsorship opportunities, digital marketing and investment in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Photo source: Padel Best Village
Among the highlights was the Givova Five Padel Cup, which drew international media attention. Former Italian footballers Vincent Candela and Gigi Di Biagio won the VIP Man tournament, demonstrating strong teamwork and drawing large crowds.
The event concluded with a gala evening at Twiga Monte-Carlo. A charity raffle in support of Fight Aids Monaco, the association backed by Princess Stephanie of Monaco, was held, with prizes donated by sponsors and partners helping to raise funds for the cause.
Photo source: Pixel Media
Padel Best CEO Roberta Ceccarelli thanked participants, sponsors and partners, describing the event as a moment of “enthusiasm, passion and solidarity”. Stage hosts Dario Marcolin and Jimmy Ghione also praised the event’s growing role as a key fixture in the international padel calendar.
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Main photo source: Padel Best Village
Monaco prepares for 2025 E-Prix and Grand Prix with major traffic changes
The Principality is set for a thrilling month of motorsport this May with the 8th and 9th Monaco E-Prix and the 82nd Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco, but residents and visitors should be aware of significant adjustments to traffic, parking, and pedestrian access throughout the city.
Monaco will host two major automotive events this May, beginning with the 8th and 9th editions of the Monaco E-Prix on 3rd and 4th May, followed by the 82nd Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix from 22nd to 25th May. In preparation, widespread changes to road access and public transport will be implemented across the Principality.
During race weekends, key roads including Quai des États-Unis, Route de la Piscine, Appontement Jules Soccal and Darse Sud will be closed to vehicles. Additional closures will affect areas such as Boulevard Albert Ier, Place du Casino, Avenue des Citronniers and Avenue Princesse Grace. Certain streets, such as Rue Princesse Florestine and Avenue du Port, will experience reversed traffic flow, while a temporary two-way system will be introduced on Rue Grimaldi. Two major tunnels, Rocher Albert Ier and Rocher Noghès, will also be closed at times. Pedestrian access will be restricted in several areas to those with official tickets or passes, including along the Port and around key viewing points.
Parking will be severely limited throughout the city, particularly from 30th April to 4th May and again from 22nd to 25th May. Several streets, including Avenue de la Madone, Rue Princesse Florestine and Boulevard Albert Ier, will have parking bans in place. Electric vehicle charging stations operated by Monaco ON will also be neutralised at different points in May, notably on Avenue de la Madone, Rue Grimaldi and Quai des États-Unis.
Public transport will see major deviations, with the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) adjusting several of its urban bus routes during the events. Full details for the E-Prix period are already available via the CAM website, with further updates for the Grand Prix expected closer to the event.
To help manage travel during the races, real-time traffic updates will be available via Waze for both the E-Prix and the Grand Prix.
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Photo source: Government Communication Department
Prince Albert opens clean energy forum in Monaco with focus on fusion and AI
Prince Albert II opened the second Monaco Clean Fusion Forum on Monday 28th April at the Yacht Club de Monaco, addressing an international audience of researchers, energy experts and industry leaders gathered to discuss advances in nuclear fusion and artificial intelligence.
Organised with the support of the Prince Albert II Foundation, the forum aimed to foster dialogue between public and private sectors on the future of clean energy. In his opening remarks, the Prince highlighted the need for greater cooperation and innovation in tackling climate change, describing nuclear fusion as a potential cornerstone of future sustainable energy systems.
Throughout the day, the forum featured panel discussions, keynote addresses and live demonstrations. Attendees included senior figures from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Texas Instruments, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and private-sector firms such as Alpha Ring, a company specialising in micro-fusion technology.
Alpha Ring presented what it described as the world’s first Fusion AI Data Centre, a platform designed to consolidate experimental and theoretical data for researchers around the world. The system, powered by artificial intelligence, enables remote diagnostics, data analysis, and virtual collaboration aimed at accelerating developments in fusion energy.
Panels also explored public awareness of fusion, the role of education in developing a skilled workforce, and the potential of AI in enhancing scientific research. A compact educational fusion unit, the Alpha-E system, was also on display, offering a scaled-down model designed for classroom use.
The Monaco Clean Fusion Forum is expected to return in future years as part of the Principality’s broader efforts to support environmental innovation and global scientific collaboration.
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Photo credit: Stephane Danna, Government Communication Department
Massive power outage hits Spain, Portugal and parts of France, causing widespread disruption
A large-scale power outage swept across Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France on Monday, crippling public transport, causing flight delays, and prompting emergency government meetings. Residents as far afield as Andorra and Belgium also reported being impacted as authorities raced to restore electricity to millions.
The outage, which struck in the early hours of 28th April, left much of the Iberian Peninsula in chaos. Spain’s Red Electrica and Portugal’s REN, the respective national grid operators, confirmed widespread disruptions and said coordinated plans for the phased restoration of power were being activated in collaboration with European energy authorities. Although France experienced only a brief outage, areas bordering Spain were temporarily affected, while Belgium also reported isolated incidents.
In Madrid, parts of the underground metro system were evacuated, traffic jams clogged the city centre, and police were deployed to direct vehicles through streets where traffic lights had failed. Office workers flooded onto the pavements amid evacuations of high-rise buildings, including one that houses the British Embassy. Local reports detailed dozens of people trapped inside stalled metro cars and elevators as the city struggled to respond.
Portugal faced similar chaos, with traffic lights failing nationwide and metro services grinding to a halt in Lisbon and Porto. Lisbon’s airport operated on backup generators as national airline TAP reported disruptions. Meanwhile, Spain’s airport authority AENA announced delays across its 46 managed airports, deepening travel frustrations for thousands of passengers.
While power was swiftly restored in France, grid operator RTE has launched an investigation into the cause of the outage. REN in Portugal said the reasons behind the failure are still under assessment but assured that energy supply restoration efforts remain ongoing, coordinated closely with civil protection authorities.
In a week celebrated for its glamour and innovation, Friday morning at Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2025 offered a powerful reminder that fashion’s influence extends far beyond the runway. At an exclusive Breakfast & Talk held in the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Ball Room, OTB Group Chairman Renzo Rosso and OTB Foundation Vice President Arianna Alessi captivated guests with a heartfelt discussion on the life-changing social projects driven by their foundation.
During the talk, Alessi shared insights about their foundation’s expanding work with women and girls. “Because we already opened two orphanages just for boys, we asked why don’t we open one for women?” she explained. After two years of planning—reflecting their “Only The Brave” mentality—they proceeded with the initiative.
“Now we’ve opened one in Kapisa. And we are going to open another one in Afghanistan,” Alessi revealed. She highlighted a unique aspect of these facilities: “The strange thing is that these girls are not without parents.” Rather, the centres provide education and opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to these young women.
The foundation also funds university education for women pursuing STEM fields. “It’s at Bocconi and other universities in Italy, paying for university and master’s programmes in STEM for women in need,” Alessi explained. In a nod to sustainability beyond fashion, she added, “We asked them to remember that when they become famous, the opportunity we’ve given them today should be passed on to another girl — that’s how we make this project circular.”
100% donation impact
A standout aspect of the OTB Foundation’s approach is their financial transparency. Unlike many charitable organisations that use portions of donations for operational costs, the OTB Foundation ensures that every euro donated goes directly to the cause. As mentioned during the talk, while some organisations keep up to 80% of donations, OTB Foundation’s model ensures that “if you donate one euro, that one euro goes straight to the cause.”
This commitment extends to their personal involvement with beneficiaries. “Now we have 57 people… and we know every single person. We follow these girls,” Alessi stated, highlighting the foundation’s hands-on approach.
The OTB Foundation has invested in over 380 social development projects worldwide, directly benefitting the lives of approximately 380,000 people. The Foundation is active in four main areas: children and youth, women’s empowerment and protection, integration, and emergencies. Each project is evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively, as if it were an investment opportunity in a for-profit company.
Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou
Fashion Week events
Following the morning’s session, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week continued with a series of runway presentations throughout the day. Isabel Fargnoli presented at 12:30 PM at the Yacht Club of Monaco, followed by a brunch aboard the M/Y Grand Prix at 1:30 PM. At 3:00 PM, Valtoria, Jiri Kalfar, Abiddikkia, and Mami Okano showcased their collections. Marlea Monte-Carlo took the stage at 4:30 PM, while Leslie Monte-Carlo, Laura Spreti, and Diana Mara presented at 5:30 PM. Polimoda, with Pavillon Bosio scenography, showed at Salle Leo Ferré at 6:00 PM, before the day concluded with a Marlea Monte-Carlo Cocktail & DJ Set at Metropole Shopping Centre at 6:30 PM.
The Yacht Club of Monaco transformed into a stunning showcase of fashion innovation, with designers presenting their unique creative visions on the runway. Guests were particularly impressed by Isabel Fargnoli’s meticulously detailed collection, while the elegant brunch aboard the M/Y Grand Prix provided a sophisticated interlude between presentations.
The afternoon shows highlighted remarkable diversity, from Valtoria’s boundary-pushing designs to Jiri Kalfar’s commitment to sustainable luxury fashion. Both Abiddikkia and Mami Okano received enthusiastic applause from the audience, with their bold colour palettes and innovative silhouettes captivating attendees throughout the event.
Monaco Life was there! See more of Monte-Carlo Fashion Week in our video reel below…
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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life
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