19 ° C
Profile

Month: July 2025

Pink Ribbon Monaco names Su Park as ambassador and head of events

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/07/2025

Pink Ribbon Monaco has announced the appointment of Su Park as its ambassador and director of events. The South Korean global entrepreneur will take her place alongside Vice‑President Tiffany Cromwell, Olympic and European gravel cycling champion, to spearhead the association’s international awareness and prevention efforts against women’s cancers.

With a decade-long base in Paris and now residing in Monaco, Su Park brings recognised expertise in the fine art and luxury sectors. Celebrated among Forbes’ ’30 Under 30′ for her advocacy of women’s leadership, she is known for a nuanced, cross-cultural approach that spans strategy, creativity and empathy.

A holistic vision for Pink Ribbon Monaco

Her remit includes designing and overseeing flagship events in Monaco and abroad, launching innovative awareness campaigns, and forging strategic partnerships anchored in integrity. Park embodies the association’s ethos: a blend of poise and purpose firmly rooted in a holistic vision of women’s wellbeing.

Gala to mark a new chapter

Park’s first major initiative will be the annual gala on 11th October 2025 at Hôtel de Paris Monte‑Carlo. This premiere event will usher in a new era defined by empowerment, influence, and impact.

Voices on the new leadership

“Su, like Tiffany, embodies Pink Ribbon Monaco’s essence: grace, brilliance, strength and resolve,” said Founder and President Natasha Frost‑Savio. Su Park added, “As women, we thrive when united by a shared vision and a common cause. It is a privilege to contribute to a movement that celebrates courage, education and sisterhood … Pink Ribbon Monaco is more than a cause: it is a call to action. I am deeply honoured to serve it.”

Looking ahead

Upcoming highlights include the three‑day event culminating in the October gala, an innovative awareness campaign throughout October 2025, and, in 2026, a high‑profile charity golf tournament featuring a collaborative format with a world‑renowned musician. In parallel, Pink Ribbon Monaco will continue supporting research into lobular breast cancer at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo provided

CFM Indosuez reveals plans to transform Monaco building into ‘Everblue’ tower

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/07/2025

CFM Indosuez has unveiled its architectural plans for ‘Everblue’, an ambitious renovation and extension of its 1999 headquarters. The new project will add two floors to the existing building and significantly enhance its environmental credentials.

The 24-month construction timeline is set to be completed in the second half of 2027, representing the latest major real estate investment in the banking sector.

Construction timeline and impact

The construction is set to begin quietly with interior demolition, while visible activity won’t start until September. CFM Indosuez has temporarily relocated its nearly 400 employees to alternative locations, while maintaining normal operations across its five Monaco branches.

The bank, operating in Monaco since 1922, acquired the building in 2019 as “a symbol of the bank’s deep roots in the Principality,” said Vincent Thomas, Deputy General Manager. “CFM Indosuez reaffirms its role as a committed leader in Monaco’s ecological transition while deepening its roots at the heart of Monaco.”

Image source: CFM Indosuez

Environmental innovation

The renovation addresses aging infrastructure and modern environmental standards. The original all-glass facades that created light issues for employees working on screens will be replaced by a new design by architects Jérôme Hein (The A Group) and Eric Puzenat (Ateliers 2/3/4/), which significantly reduces glazed surfaces while improving natural light control, earning BD2M G old certification.

The design also draws inspiration from Monaco’s landscape, creating a “mountain extension” that resembles the Rock of Monaco. Features include sculpted stone facades with integrated hanging gardens, a rooftop pavilion, and suspended terraces creating “a dialogue between mineral and vegetal.”

The renovation uses “conscientious rehabilitation”, preserving the existing concrete structure while adding lightweight extensions. The sustainable approach uses dry construction methods with no concrete poured on-site, using wooden frame systems for infill between existing concrete pillars.

Additionally, the extension features steel structure with wood-concrete composite floors, while it connects to Monaco’s thalassothermal energy loop, drawing heating and cooling from the Mediterranean sea. The rooftop also includes 37 square meters of photovoltaic panels for renewable energy.

The building’s interior, photo provided by CFM Indosuez.

Technical details

The expanded building will cover 3,812 square meters across 30 metres in height, representing the largest trading floor in the Principality. The facility will include 49 parking spaces with 25% equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, advanced air treatment systems working with the thalassothermal connection, and a top floor dedicated to premium client salons with double-height ceilings.

As architect Jérôme Hein noted: “We’re in a territory that constantly rebuilds upon itself. I think it’s very important today and in the future to start valuing our existing heritage rather than constantly demolishing and rebuilding.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main before and after photo provided by CFM Indosuez.

 

Countess of Carladès steps forward: Princess Gabriella celebrated on historic family visit

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/07/2025

Princess Gabriella stepped into a more public role on 9th July as she joined Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and her twin brother Prince Jacques for a visit to Carladès, the region tied to her title as Countess. The day featured a series of tributes that quietly marked her growing presence within Monaco’s public life.

Princess Gabriella took centre stage during the official visit to Carladès, the rural region of southern France historically linked to the Grimaldi dynasty. Accompanied by her parents and brother, the 10-year-old Princess was at the heart of several dedications that acknowledged both her family’s legacy and her symbolic role in it.

Square Princess Gabriella unveiled in Vic-sur-Cère

The first stop was Vic-sur-Cère, once the capital of the County of Carladès and home to a former residence of the Princes of Monaco. Here, Square Princess Gabriella was officially inaugurated as part of a wider urban renewal project. In a formal gesture led by Mayor Annie Delrieu, Princess Gabriella was presented with the key to the town.

Square Princess Gabriella was officially inaugrated during the visit. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

Prince Albert, addressing local officials and residents, described the visit as “a way for our children to connect with their history not just through books, but through the people and places that continue to give it meaning.” He was careful to situate the visit in the present, not as a return to outdated forms of ceremony, but as “a reciprocal acknowledgement of shared history”.

A new namesake library in Mur-de-Barrez

Later, in Mur-de-Barrez, the Princely Family were welcomed to a new media library, which will now carry the name Princess Gabriella Media Library, following a proposal by the Aubrac-Carladez-Viadène community. The Princess, still at ease despite the official setting, was introduced to local children and residents, as her father noted the importance of creating “living links” with communities historically connected to Monaco.

Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – the Countess of Carladès, stepping into her role with grace and honour. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

A stamp bearing the image of the town’s Tour de Monaco was also unveiled by Prince Albert, part of the Grimaldi Historic Sites initiative, which now spans over 80 towns across France with longstanding links to the Principality.

A quiet moment in Carlat rounds off the day

The day concluded in Carlat, where a small botanical garden was opened in Princess Gabriella’s name. A family photograph was taken beside a tree famously associated with Prince Albert’s grandmother, Princess Charlotte, linking three generations through a simple, personal gesture rather than formal tribute.

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their children with a family photograph linking them to this exact tree. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

First granted to Monaco by King Louis XIII in 1643, Carladès is part of the rich web of historical ties that still shape Monaco’s cultural diplomacy. With the visit, Princess Gabriella begins to step into her role as Countess of Carladès—not as a ceremonial figure, but as part of a contemporary effort to sustain meaningful, cross-generational links with the French territories that share the Principality’s past.

See more in the gallery below. All photos credit: Eric Mathon/Palais princier

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Monaco celebrates 20 years of Handiplage at Larvotto with expanded accessibility

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/07/2025

Monaco’s Handiplage initiative at Larvotto Beach has reopened for the 2025 summer season, marking two decades of commitment to accessible seaside leisure. The site, open daily until 31st August, offers adapted bathing and beach facilities for people with reduced mobility, with expanded services and extended opening hours now in place.

Launched in 2005 by the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales in collaboration with the Soroptimist Club of Monaco, Handiplage provides individuals with disabilities—whether autonomous or accompanied—a secure and comfortable opportunity to enjoy the coastline. According to the Government, this milestone year reinforces the Principality’s long-standing pledge to make public spaces inclusive and accessible to all.

Extended hours and enhanced support

Following a successful trial in 2024, opening times have been extended. Handiplage now welcomes visitors from 10am to 6pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 7pm on weekends and the 15th August public holiday. These hours are coordinated with the presence of lifeguards at Larvotto, ensuring continuous safety cover.

To support the longer schedule, six trained handiplagistes are on site each day. All staff hold the PSC1 first-aid qualification, offering users a reliable and professional presence throughout the day.

New equipment for 2025

This year sees the addition of new features designed to improve accessibility and comfort. Among them are an accessible shower and a PMR seat, along with two specially adapted SUNBED-style loungers. Two new tiralos—floating beach wheelchairs known as “waterwheels”—have also been added to the existing equipment.

Users will also benefit from the availability of PMR-specific life jackets, gel cushions, and a cooler, helping ensure both safety and convenience in the summer heat.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department

EU launches ambitious Quantum Strategy to lead global race by 2030

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/07/2025

The European Commission has unveiled a bold roadmap to position the EU as a global leader in quantum technologies by the end of the decade, aiming to transform scientific excellence into strategic industrial strength.

On 2nd July, the European Commission presented its new Quantum Strategy, a comprehensive initiative designed to build a robust and sovereign quantum ecosystem in Europe by 2030. The plan sets out to harness cutting-edge science, expand Europe’s industrial competitiveness, and reduce dependence on non-European technologies in a domain expected to exceed €155 billion in global value by 2040.

A blueprint for leadership

The strategy focuses on five pillars: research and innovation, infrastructure development, ecosystem growth, dual-use and space applications, and skills development. Together, these elements will underpin the EU’s vision of a self-reliant, resilient quantum sector.

“Europe has always been at the forefront of quantum science, with a strong record of innovation and discovery,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. “As the global quantum race intensifies and moves from lab to real-world application, Europe must maintain its leadership.”

Key actions under the strategy include launching the Quantum Europe Research and Innovation Initiative, co-funded with Member States, to support foundational research and application development in both public and private sectors. A quantum design facility and six pilot production lines for quantum chips—backed by €50 million in public funding—will be established to help transform prototypes into market-ready technologies.

Infrastructure and skills for the next frontier

Europe’s ambitions also extend into secure communications and strategic autonomy, with the launch of a pilot facility for a European Quantum Internet and collaboration with the European Space Agency on a Quantum Technology Roadmap in Space. The sector’s dual-use potential, particularly in defence and critical infrastructure, is expected to grow in strategic importance.

To meet future workforce demands, the Commission will establish a European Quantum Skills Academy in 2026 and expand the existing network of Quantum Competence Clusters. These initiatives aim to address a major skills gap and create thousands of highly specialised jobs across the EU.

Growing private investment and startup scale

With European quantum startups currently attracting only around 5% of global private investment, the strategy includes measures to stimulate funding and scale-up opportunities. This includes promoting industrial uptake of quantum solutions developed within the EU and encouraging collaboration between academia, industry, and innovators.

The Commission also plans to propose a Quantum Act in 2026 to support the industrialisation of quantum technologies through coordinated EU and national investments, particularly in pilot production and large-scale facilities.

Strategic oversight

A High-Level Advisory Board composed of leading scientists, including Nobel Prize laureates, will guide implementation of the strategy and ensure alignment with Europe’s long-term sovereignty and innovation goals.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Ethereum at a crossroads: Vitalik Buterin steers EthCC Cannes toward real decentralisation

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/07/2025

The EthCC[8] forum in Cannes has brought together more than 400 Ethereum innovators for a gathering that challenged the crypto community to move beyond buzzwords. At the heart of the event was co‑founder Vitalik Buterin, whose keynote set a new benchmark for what decentralisation must truly mean in practice.

Against the cinematic backdrop of the Palais des Festivals, EthCC[8] convened from 30th June to 3rd July, alongside a full week of side‑events, workshops and networking under the summer sun. With AI, privacy, DeFi, security and cross‑chain interoperability on the agenda, Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin’s keynote on Day three offered a visceral reminder: technological sophistication alone won’t guarantee a decentralised future.

Vitalik charts a course for meaningful decentralisation

Vitalik Buterin urged the community to abandon superficial decentralisation in favour of concrete user guarantees: the “walk‑away” test (can users retain assets if developers disappear?), the “insider attack” test and scrutinising the trusted computing base. He warned that many Layer‑2s and DeFi systems hide centralised controls, upgrade keys or privacy vulnerabilities. Privacy must be default, not optional, and code should be simpler to resist systemic fragility

Web3’s next chapter hinges on trust and resilience

Marking 10 years since Ethereum’s genesis block, Buterin’s message was clear: the ecosystem stands at an inflection point. He implored builders to confront centralisation vectors—from hidden backdoors to opaque bridges—and build systems that “create openness, freedom, and fair, permissionless access”. Without this reckoning, Ethereum risks becoming “a generational thing… [that] passes like a lot of other things” .

Cannes showcases the full spectrum of Ethereum innovation

Away from Buterin’s keynote, EthCC featured a rich programme of technical deep dives: AI‑powered developer tools, blockchain indexing with Kafka, MEV mitigation, cross‑chain liquidity, zero‑knowledge legal frameworks and transparent signing protocols. Sessions ranged from Gwen Martin’s exploration of AI coding assistants to Charles Guillemet’s Ledger-backed user safeguards. These sessions underscore Ethereum’s multidimensional growth.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo of Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin speaking at the EthCC event, credit Nico Timmermans