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Day: 23 September 2025

ReOcean Fund marks $73 million closing with Nasdaq tribute in New York

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2025

The ReOcean Fund, a Monaco-backed investment vehicle dedicated to accelerating the blue economy, has celebrated a landmark $73 million closing, a milestone highlighted on Nasdaq’s iconic Times Square billboard in New York.

The announcement was made during the Building the Future Summit 2025, part of Climate Week NYC, which convenes global leaders in finance, sustainability, and innovation. Held at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on 22nd September, the summit brings together heads of state, institutional investors, and corporate executives to explore new solutions in energy resilience, nature-based innovation, and sustainable reindustrialisation.

Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the summit, alongside representatives of his foundation including CEO Olivier Wenden.

At the opening of the Nasdaq markets, Dr. Andrew Forrest AO, Founder of the Minderoo Foundation, joined Prince Albert II of Monaco to announce a €5 million investment in the ReOcean Fund.

Co-sponsored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Asset Management (MAM), the ReOcean Fund is designed to channel capital into pioneering companies that protect and restore the world’s oceans. Its investment portfolio focuses on sustainable aquaculture, ocean data, pollution reduction, green shipping and yachting, as well as marine ecosystem restoration.

With 22 investors already onboard, the $73 million closing marks a major step towards the fund’s targeted €100 million raise, strengthening its ability to scale businesses driving innovation in the blue economy.

That Monaco’s name was projected across Nasdaq’s Times Square screens — a platform reserved for major financial milestones — reflects both the growing international profile of the ReOcean Fund and the Principality’s reputation as a hub for impact-driven finance.

See also: 

Monaco formally recognises Palestinian state during UN summit

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Uber set to offer Monaco helicopter rides after Joby’s Blade acquisition

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2025

Joby Aviation has announced it will integrate Blade’s air mobility services into the Uber app from 2026, following its acquisition of Blade’s passenger business in August. The move brings Blade’s Monaco and Riviera operations – including the high-traffic Nice-Monaco route – closer to a new, electric future under Joby’s leadership, and marks a major step in Joby and Uber’s long-term urban air mobility partnership.

In August 2025, California-based aviation company Joby completed its acquisition of Blade’s global passenger business, which includes Blade Europe and its scheduled services in New York, Los Angeles, and the South of France. The deal gives Joby immediate access to Blade’s extensive infrastructure and more than a decade of operational experience in short-haul vertical air mobility.

This acquisition also places Joby in control of the air mobility network that Blade has built in the Principality, stemming from its 2022 purchase of Monacair’s commercial passenger operations. That earlier deal made Blade the exclusive provider of scheduled helicopter transfers between Monaco and Nice, a critical corridor for business and leisure travellers in the region.

Blade’s Monacair link strengthens Monaco’s role

Monacair, founded by Stefano Casiraghi and long associated with the Princely Family, became a central part of Blade’s European ambitions when the American company took over its passenger-facing operations in 2022. Blade retained the Monaco branding, but took over responsibility for marketing, booking, and customer experience, while flight operations remained under Monacair’s control.

The addition of Blade’s Monaco routes to the Uber app is expected to simplify how passengers book helicopter transfers in and out of the Principality, particularly for those already using Uber for ground transportation.

Uber app to feature Blade flights in 2026

Joby and Uber confirmed that Blade’s services – including those in the French Riviera – will be available to book via the Uber app from next year. The move is part of a wider strategy to build customer familiarity with air mobility options ahead of the launch of Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in key markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and the UAE.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby, said the integration would bring “the magic of seamless urban air travel” to Uber customers around the world, while laying the groundwork for the introduction of quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead.

Andrew Macdonald, President and COO of Uber, added that advanced air mobility would “deliver safe, quiet, and sustainable transportation to cities around the world” through the combined scale and expertise of Joby and Blade.

A new chapter for Monaco’s air connections

Monaco’s close proximity to Nice Airport and its status as a hub for luxury and executive travel have made the helicopter link between the two cities one of Europe’s busiest. With the Blade brand now under Joby’s leadership, and bookings soon available via Uber, Monaco’s key air route is once again at the forefront of innovation.

Longer-term, the partnership could lead to the eventual deployment of all-electric air taxis on the route, aligning with the Principality’s environmental goals and commitment to future-focused mobility solutions.

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AI generated photo of Uber helicopter flying over Monaco created by Cassandra Tanti, photo of Monaco by Cassandra Tanti 

Monaco formally recognises Palestinian state during UN summit

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2025

Prince Albert II has announced that Monaco will formally recognise a Palestinian state, joining more than 145 other countries in backing a two-state solution to the conflict.

The declaration came on Monday 23rd September during a United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, where several European nations, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta, also made similar announcements.

Prince Albert II calls for ‘balanced and sustainable’ peace

In his address, Prince Albert II reiterated Monaco’s long-standing position of supporting both Israel’s right to security and Palestine’s right to statehood. “Since the beginning, my country has defended Israel’s right to live within safe and recognised borders and to enjoy security therein, as well as the right of the Palestinian people to have a sovereign, viable and democratic state,” he said.

The Prince added: “Today, we wish to reaffirm our unwavering support to Israel’s existence, and we also wish to recognise Palestine as a state under international law.” His remarks were met with applause in the chamber.

Conditions for progress

Prince Albert II said that a sustainable peace settlement must depend on clear preconditions, including the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.

“The solution must be balanced and sustainable,” he said, stressing Monaco’s support for a two-state framework “based on the existence of two national entities.”

International backdrop

Around 80% of United Nations member states have now recognised a Palestinian state, a trend that has gathered momentum as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza and settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.

Israel’s rejection of summit

Israel strongly opposed the summit. Danny Danon, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, said that Israel and the United States “will not participate in this charade,” reiterating his government’s rejection of unilateral recognition without a negotiated peace agreement.

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Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier