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Minister of State praises ‘dynamic’ consuls

21/11/2017

Minister of State Serge Telle opened the Annual Consular Meeting, at the Eiffel Salon of the Hermitage Hotel Monte-Carlo on Monday, November 20. During his introductory speech, the Minister of State congratulated the dynamic consular network.

A large number of Monaco Diplomatic and Consular Corps members working abroad as well as the Honorary Consuls of Monaco from all continents were present at this meeting, which marked the end of the celebrations for Monaco’s National Day.

The Principality, as of October 30, 2017, has 133 Consulates in operation in 80 states. A total of 89 countries are represented in Monaco by a Consul, either honorary or career.

Gilles Tonelli, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, then presented the new organisation of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation and made a point on the state of negotiations with the European Union before inviting several speakers to address the meeting, including the President of the Monaco Economic Board, the Secretary General of SBM, the Director of Monaco Tech, the Special Advisor to the Minister for External Relations and Cooperation, the Director General of the Institute Oceanographic and the President of the Scientific Centre of Monaco.

The assembled consuls heard about the joint operations conducted in 2017 by the Monaco Economic Board and those planned for 2018, the short and medium-term projects of the SBM, the plans of MonacoTech and those of Monaco Explorations 2017-2020 and the implementation of Voluntary Sustainable Development Goals.

“A budget of achievements” in 2018

Recharge your laptop by pedalling at train station

by: Cassandra Tanti

12/09/2017

Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, has inaugurated a “WeBike” terminal that travellers can use to recharge mobile devices by pedalling.

Comprising three stations with comfortable seats, the eco-friendly WeBike allows the user to recharge the battery of their mobile phone, computer or tablet with the strength of their calves.

A ring composed of LEDs serves as an interactive display and gives the level corresponding to the power delivered by the user. As soon as this power is sufficient, the LEDs go green and the power supply is then available to recharge the portable device.

From the first pedal, the bike provides electrical power by exploiting kinetic energy through a dynamo, which is roughly equivalent to a mains connection. With regard to mobile phones, the recharging time by pedalling is equivalent to that of a conventional electric charger. On average, pedalling ten minutes at a moderate pace can recharge 10 to 15 percent of the battery.

“This initiative of the Directorate of Environment is part of the Government’s eco-responsible approach and aims to raise public awareness of alternative energies,” said Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, adding “I encourage the Principality’s companies, in other spaces open to the public, to develop similar initiatives.”

Developed by the Belgian company WeWatt, these terminals were tested in 2012 at the Brussels airport and during the Olympic Games in London, and today can be found in an increasing number of sites in Europe and the US.

Princely family celebrate Yersin’s departure from Monaco Yacht Cub

by: Cassandra Tanti

30/07/2017

Photo: Prince's Palace of Monaco — Photo: Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Thursday night, at 10:30 pm, the Yersin, the ecological research ship flying the Monegasque flag, left Port Hercules in Monaco for a 3-year journey around the world.

Earlier that evening, the princely couple with their children, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, attended an invitation-only departure ceremony from the Monaco Yacht Club.

The expedition will be transmitted online with its own media platform. Incredible shots and short videos will be broadcast worldwide to raise awareness about marine environment issues, mainly pollution, acidification, species and coral disappearance.

On a tour of the ship earlier in the month, Captain Jean Dumarais, also one of the ships designers, told Monaco Life: “This is a perfect mix of existing technology that has the least impact on the sea as possible.”

Yersin owners François and Geneviève Fiat spent 30% of their investment on comfort and 70% on technology, which as Mr Dumarais points out, is “the opposite of every other yacht budget”.

Head of Mission Colonel Bruno Philipponnat pointed out, “We don’t have a good understanding of the shores or deep waters. And even though we have the Scientific Centre of Monaco, our scientists need to get out in the field.”

He added: “The Prince is really proud of this project and has followed it every step of the way. He hopes this will encourage other heads of state peers to better protect their seas.”

With several laboratories on board, the vessel is self-sufficient in water, food and electricity thanks to the generators that will accompany the 44 scientists, journalists, crew members who are part of the journey.

The Fiats baptised their ship Yersin after Alexander Yersin (1863-1943) a Swiss physician who discovered the bacillus responsible for the plague because “he did so much for other people,” said Geneviève Fiat. To use his name, the Fiats had to ask his niece for permission. She accepted almost immediately.

A Yersin quote – and the crew’s leitmotiv – “It’s not a life that doesn’t move” is written on the ship’s hull.

The Yersin will return in 2020 after having followed a longitudinal route between the Tropics. Its journey can be followed on social networks or at the Oceanographic Museum where an exhibit will be on display. (Home page image: Axel Bastello/ Palais Princier)

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Minister of State praises ‘dynamic’ consuls

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Recharge your laptop by pedalling at train station

Princely family celebrate Yersin’s departure from Monaco Yacht Cub

READ ALSO Prince welcomes ocean pioneer at Yacht Club

Minister of State praises ‘dynamic’ consuls

READ MORE:

Recharge your laptop by pedalling at train station

Princely family celebrate Yersin’s departure from Monaco Yacht Cub

READ ALSO Prince welcomes ocean pioneer at Yacht Club

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