The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have formally signed a partnership agreement placing sport at the service of ocean awareness, with the couple present for the signing at the 17th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative on Wednesday 27th May.
The agreement was signed by Anne Boggio, CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, and Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. It marks the first formal collaboration between two institutions whose missions have long run in parallel — one focused on ocean knowledge and governance, the other on sport, education, and drowning prevention.
A crossing for the Pelagos Sanctuary
The partnership’s first public expression will be a water bike crossing from Viareggio, Italy, to Monaco on 19th and 20th June, under the name ‘Together Crossing for the Pelago’. The event will traverse the Pelagos Sanctuary, the first transboundary marine protected area in the Mediterranean, extending over 87,500 km² between France, Monaco, and Italy and dedicated to the protection of marine mammals including several species of whales and dolphins.
Speaking at the signing, Princess Charlene said: “By connecting sport with ocean conservation, my Foundation aims, through The Crossing taking place in June, to inspire engagement, promote the protection of the Mediterranean, and demonstrate that human achievement and environmental responsibility can move forward together.”
Prince Albert II welcomed the partnership as part of a broader philanthropic responsibility, saying: “This year, our two Foundations have formed a partnership on sport and the environment. Within it, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation will hold in the coming weeks an event to raise public awareness. It builds on the work we have shaped around the Pelagos Sanctuary, which protects marine mammals in the Mediterranean.”
Three shared priorities
The two foundations have identified three areas of joint focus: drowning prevention, swimming education, and marine conservation in the Mediterranean. Further joint initiatives are expected to be announced in the coming months, combining field-based action, awareness-raising and sporting events.
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Main photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Manuel Vitali, Prince’s Palace