Here’s a round-up of all the latest news from the Monaco Government, from the activation of the study grant application process to overseas events and international conferences.
First up is an announcement by Monaco’s Department of Education, Youth and Sport that the application process is now open for those hoping to obtain university study or social improvement grants for the 2024/25 year.
Applications must be received by the Department by 2pm on 27th September for study grants and prior to the start of a course in the case of a social improvement-related request. Full details on eligibility requirements can be found here.
Monaco pledges support
At the end of May, Gabriel Revel, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, met to sign an agreement regarding the Principality’s voluntary contributions to four specific projects and missions: a programme combatting violence against women and domestic violence in Morocco and Tunisia; the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe 2021-2025; the Fund for the Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention; and assisting in reducing the backlog of well-founded cases at the European Court of Human Rights.
See more: Monaco makes voluntary contribution to Council of Europe
Also occurring at the end of May was the United Nations’ Small Island Developing States conference, which was attended by Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations.
Held in Antigua and Barbuda, Picco used the overseas trip to reaffirm the Principality’s “support for the sustainable development of small island developing States, which are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks and the effects of climate change”.
She also spoke about the potential of the Blue Economy and praised the vital role of the so-called Small Island Developing States in protecting the oceans and marine biodiversity.
Bonn Climate Change conference
A delegation from Monaco, composed of representatives from the Directorate of the Environment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is currently attending the Bonn Climate Change conference, which is being held in the German city between 3rd and 13th June.
According to government representatives, “The main issue this year is defining a new financing goal to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The development of rules regarding market mechanisms (carbon offset) under the Paris Agreement will also be at the heart of the discussions. The results of the negotiations will be forwarded to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan at the end of the year for the adoption of official decisions by the States.”
Hungarian visit
On 4th June, Monaco received a special visit from Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó (fourth from left in main photo). His trip to the Principality coincided with the inauguration of the new Consulate of Hungary in Monaco, which was formally opened in the presence of José Luis Delso Martinez-Trevijano, the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Monaco.
Szijjártó was also invited to meet Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Palais Princier and had an interview with the Principality’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, during which the two reviewed cooperation efforts between the two states.
The Hungarian minister concluded his visit by co-hosting a conference organised by the Monaco Economic Board entitled ‘Business Destination: Hungary’.
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Prince Albert II inaugurates Václav Havel Bench at the Pavillon Bosio
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Main photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco