The sixth edition of the Luxury Monte-Carlo high jewellery exhibition opened to VIP guests at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, proving once more that diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend.
On Thursday afternoon, the doors of the Sea Club opened, radiating light not from the Mediterranean skies, but from the exquisite jewellery displayed in elegant cases. Special guests were able to walk through the two-floor exhibition, engage with more than 50 international exhibitors showcasing their collections, learn their stories, and even try on the haute couture-quality jewels.
The event began with an unforgettable display of opulence, as guests tried on diamond necklaces, rings, and bracelets worth millions. The opening day continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and culminated in a charity dinner gala. Friday’s programme featured an awards ceremony with live performances, while Saturday came to a close with an exclusive fashion show and DJ set.
jewellery displayed during the Luxury Monte-Carlo, photo by Monaco Life
Celebrity-adored jewellery
One of the exhibition’s standouts was London-based designer Nadine Aysoy, presenting her collection featuring collapsible rings and necklaces with geometric diamond cuts. Her floating diamond illusion earrings drew particular attention, with Aysoy noting their recent celebrity appearance: “Actually, these earrings—the floating diamond illusion earrings—were worn by Scarlett Johansson just recently at one of the premieres of Jurassic Park.”
Aysoy’s work represented the type of contemporary design featured alongside more traditional haute joaillerie pieces throughout the exhibition.
Beyond the commercial aspect, the exhibition highlighted education about jewellery craftsmanship and design. Exhibitors were encouraged to share the stories behind their pieces, from sourcing to final creation.
The entertainment programme, organised by The Unique Show, aims to create an experience that extends beyond traditional trade show formats.
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Main photo by Monaco Life
Monaco’s Saint-Jean festivities set to return this June
Monaco is gearing up for one of its most beloved annual traditions as the La Mairie and Saint-Jean Club prepare to light up the summer nights with their Saint-Jean festivities on June 23rd and 24th.
This year’s celebration promises the perfect blend of Monaco customs and international flavour, with special guests appearance from Nice’s ‘Azur Irish Dance Academy’ adding Celtic charm.
The celebration splits across two evenings, each offering its own unique atmosphere.
On June 23rd at Place du Palais, the evening will begin with a ceremony in the Palatine Chapel. However, the real spectacle starts around 9pm when the public will gather for the dramatic ‘batafoegu’– the lightning of the traditional bonfire that has illuminated Monaco’s summer solstice for generations.
The flames will dance alongside performances by La Palladienne, Monaco’s treasured folkloric dance troupe.
Tuesday’s grand celebration
Following, the main event will unfold on June 24th at Place des Moulins, where the community will come together for an evening that captures the true spirit of Monaco’s Saint-Jean tradition.
At 7pm, the traditional ceremony will begin with Municipal Councillors, flag bearers, the Committees of Traditions, Municipal Music, and La Palladienne dancers leading the way. This year’s special addition will feature Irish dancers from Nice, bringing a delightful cultural exchange to the celebrations. The cherished figure of ‘petit Saint Jean’ will once again take centre stage, accompanied by his faithful sheep companion.
The ceremony will then make its way through the streets to Saint-Charles Church, where a religious celebration is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. Meanwhile, renowned ‘U Cantin d’A Roca’ will perform traditional songs that echo through the historic venue.
The festival’s highlight will return to Place des Moulins at 8pm for the blessing and lighting of the ceremonial bonfire. In a display of national price, Monaco’s national anthem will resonate across the square, performed by the Municipal Music ensemble and U Cantin d’A Roca singers.
The evening will conclude with the community gathering around the flames for an authentic celebration featuring live music and traditional folk dances.
The Saint-Jean festivities date back centuries, celebrating the summer solstice with bonfires that symbolise light conquering darkness. Monaco’s version keeps these ancient traditions alive while adding its own distinctive character.
Practical information
Anyone planning to join the festivities on Tuesday should be aware that Boulevard des Moulins and Avenue Saint-Laurent will be closed during the event. Access to Place des Moulins will get restricted from 6:30pm and alternative parkings should be found from 1pm onwards
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In a side event during the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Principality signed a new five-year funding agreement word €1.5 million for MedFund in the presence of Prince Albert II, celebrating 10 years of Mediterranean conservation efforts.
The renewed commitment underscores Monaco’s dedication to the MedFund, an environmental trust fund for marine protected areas across the Mediterranean, establishment in 2015.
Born from a joint initiative between Monaco, France, Tunisia and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, MedFund now supports 20 marine protected areas spanning 10 countries, covering more than 9,500 square kilometres of marine and coastal zones.
Particularly striking is the fund’s contribution to high-protection areas, with 800 square kilometres of strictly protected waters representing more than half of all such zones in the Mediterranean. This achievement comes through €6.3 million already committed by approximately 15 donors.
“In 2024, we reached a key milestone: 20 marine protected areas supported across nine countries,” said Romain Renoux, MedFund’s executive director. “The objective set in our 2020-2025 strategy has been achieved. Today, driven by this collective momentum, we are resolutely setting course for 2030.”
The Mediterranean remains one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, yet it faces unprecedented threats from climate change and human activity. MedFund addresses a fundamental challenge: the chronic underfunding of marine protected areas, particularly along the southern and eastern Mediterranean shores where financing is often irregular or insufficient.
The fund operates on three core principles that have proven essential for success: cross-border cooperation, co-management between authorities and civil society, and science-based decision-making. This approach has facilitated 15 co-management agreements bringing together national authorities and local NGOs, while benefiting more than 68,000 people through socio-economic opportunities linked to marine conservation.
Each supported marine protected area receives between €50,000 and €75,000 annually, with funding levels tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of each site. The model has mobilised €16 million to date.
Looking ahead, MedFund has set its sights on an ambitious expansion aligned with international ocean protection targets. The organisation aims to capitalise €35 million by 2030, supporting 40 marine protected areas across 10 countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean.
The renewed €1.5 million commitment from Monaco, split between the Government and the Prince Albert II Foundation, provides crucial momentum for this expansion.
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The world’s brightest minds in technology, tourism, and sustainability gathered at Le Méridien Beach Plaza on 6th June for the Virtual Economy and Sustainable Tourism Forum. The landmark event hosted by DWorld’s CEO Manila Di Giovani is set to revolutionise the travel experience through immersive technologies.
The forum brought together visionary leaders from public institutions and pioneering companies to explore how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and virtual twins can transform tourism. The focus turned towards how these innovations can create a more sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly future for the travel industry.
An impressive line-up of international speakers attended the event, including Maria Betti, Director at DG JRC European Commission and Director for Pélagos international agreement, Maria Elena Rossi, Director of Foreign Offices and International Development of the Triumph Group and former Global Marketing Director of the Italian Tourist Board, and Wayne Grixti, Chairman of Malta Digital & Innovation Authority and CEO of Tech MT amongst others.
Jersey pioneers digital tourism revolution
Marcus Calvani, CEO of Jersey Hospitality Association, revealed how the Channel Island is developing what he describes as a “digital twinned metaverse version” of Jersey that allows potential visitors to customise their experience before arrival. Speaking to Monaco Life, Calvani explained how the technology transforms the island into a personalised virtual experience.
“We’ve been looking at how we can take some of the layers of our offering as an island—our history and heritage, our food and beverage, our great outdoors and wellness—and enable a digital twinned metaverse version of Jersey to layer the experience for a potential visitor,” Calvani said. “They can turn that into a personalised pleasure park or theme park of their own desire.”
The concept allows food enthusiasts to virtually explore Jersey’s culinary landscape with the press of a button, transforming the entire island into “a wonderful world of food”. History enthusiasts can delve into the island’s rich past, including its Second World War occupation, or engage with historical figures like King Charles inside a digitally recreated Mont Orgueil Castle.
“It offers the ability to curate and design their own experience for the island and choose what they want to visit,” Calvani noted. “Then, when they do physically come to the island, maybe afterwards, they’ve already created their whole experience before they get there.”
Tackling tourism’s carbon footprint
The forum addressed critical sustainability challenges facing the tourism industry, focusing on how digital innovations can dramatically reduce tourism’s carbon footprint. Virtual twins and immersive technologies offer multiple pathways to environmental responsibility by allowing destinations to manage visitor flows more effectively and provide pre-visit experiences that can reduce over-tourism pressures.
The discussions centred on practical applications of blockchain for transparent and sustainable travel practices, AI for personalised experiences, and virtual twins for destination management. These technologies represent a shift toward tourism experiences that begin long before departure and continue after return, all while potentially reducing the environmental impact of traditional tourism models
The event served as a strategic platform for government leaders, public institutions, investors, and tech innovators to forge concrete strategies for tomorrow’s virtual economies.
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Main photo featuring Marcus Calvani, by Monaco Life
Monaco and France sign enhanced charter for sustainable Mediterranean cruising
Monaco and France have strengthened their environmental partnership by signing an enhanced version of the Sustainable Mediterranean Cruise Charter. The signing symbolically took place during the opening ceremony of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on 7th June.
The agreement was signed by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister for Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, and Philippe Tabarot, France’s Transport Minister, at the Grimaldi Forum.
The enhanced charter includes four key commitments that build upon the 2022 convention previously signed between the two nations. These include clear commitments to reduce air pollution in four Mediterranean ports and to install electric charging stations at the docks. They also involve slowing ships down when whales and dolphins are nearby, as well as improving coordination between ports to prevent pollution spikes and support the use of cleaner fuels and modern technology.
Finding the right balance
Minister Tabarot addressed the complex challenge of balancing economic benefits with environmental protection. He acknowledged the sometimes strained relationships between ports and cruise operators in recent years. “For years, many of us wanted to see cruises come to our ports and bring economic benefits… and then, perhaps overnight, because visitor numbers weren’t limited or practices weren’t regulated, that warm welcome began to fade.”
Despite these difficulties, he reaffirmed France’s commitment to a more sustainable cruise model. He explained that he believes the right balance can be found between economic development and environmental protection, noting that economic benefits and ocean conservation are not incompatible goals.
Minister Caron-Dagioni also highlighted that environmental requirements in the Principality are not simply moral imperatives but represent regulatory reality. “In Monaco, environmental demands are not simply moral. It is a regulatory reality,” she stated, describing this as part of the historic commitment of Monaco’s principles that are shared from generation to generation.
“Let’s not forget that in Monaco, we used to be sailors. We lived from that, and this root is deeply anchored in the preservation of our primary environment, which is what the sea represents.” she added.
Signing the enhanced version of the Sustainable Mediterranean Cruise Charter during the Blue Economy and Finance Forum
A shared Mediterranean responsibility
Minister Caron-Dagioni stressed that environmental protection is not the affair of one person or country, but rather the responsibility of all. She noted that Monaco has already implemented a selective cruise policy compatible with air quality standards, quality of life, and climate objectives.
The signing follows the endorsement of the improved charter by major cruise operators in Marseille the previous day, with companies representing more than 50% of cruise operations already committed to the initiative. Minister Tabarot encouraged other operators to join what he described as a virtuous approach that combines environmental, economic, and dialogue-based elements.
The enhanced charter aims to drive the entire cruise sector towards higher environmental standards whilst maintaining the economic benefits of sustainable tourism. Minister Caron-Dagioni concluded that the charter should serve to “pull the entire sector upwards” and position the Mediterranean as an exemplary region for sustainable cruise operations. She explained that Monaco stands “alongside the companies to accompany them, to go further, to understand their problems and try to bring sustainable solutions with them”.
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All photos by Monaco Life
Blue Economy Forum in Monaco draws global powerhouses to fight for the oceans
Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince William of Wales, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Roblesjoined forces at theBlue Economy and Finance Forum on the weekend, calling for urgent action to protect the world’s oceans and promote sustainable economy.
Held at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco and attended by Monaco Life, the two-day event brought together a powerful coalition of leaders, environmental experts, scientists, business innovators, and representatives. The forum served as a key lead-up to the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice this week.
Chaired by Pascal Lamy, former WTO Director-General, and Ilana Sed, UN representative from Palau, the gathering focused on concrete solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable maritime development.
Prince Albert II expressed cautious optimism about the outcome from the discussions in his opening speech. “As someone committed to defending the environment, occasionally positive momentum does occur. And what we have witnessed here in Monaco is precisely that,” he said. The Prince noted that solutions already exist across multiple sectors, from sustainable fisheries management to marine biotechnology, stating that “we are standing at the threshold of this blue transition”.
Scientific financing becomes imperative
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the scientific imperative for action, firmly rejecting the notion that climate change and ocean degradation are matters of opinion. “This is not an opinion, but scientifically established. We have a political, ethical, and scientific duty to continue financing free and open science,” he said.
The French President outlined the harsh reality that oceans face, explaining that due to global warming, sea levels are set to rise by over one metre in the worst-case scenarios. “We know that changes are dramatic at this point,” he warned, highlighting the particular vulnerability of coastal states, islands, and cities. He announced however that France would strengthen its maritime protection targets, building on the country’s position as the world’s second-largest maritime power thanks to its overseas territories.
The appearance of the Prince of Wales at the Blue Economy Forum brought a spotlight to the UK’s role in ocean innovation. Representing the United Kingdom, Prince William spoke passionately about the power of innovation to drive environmental change, drawing on his personal work through the Earthshot Prize. He shared success stories from prize finalists, including groundbreaking coral restoration efforts that have cultivated over 20,000 corals, and algae-based omega-3 production technologies that have already spared more than 2.5 million wild fish in just six months.
“Put simply, the ocean is under enormous pressure,” the Prince said, calling for scaling up of innovative solutions. He noted that whilst brilliant minds are developing inspiring solutions, “they cannot do it alone. They need scaling, support and investment to reach their potential.”
Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and Prince William of Whales discussing at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life.
Leading by example
Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles delivered an impassioned call for immediate action, mentioning his small nation’s leadership an an example. Despite representing just 0.03% of the world’s land area, Costa Rica holds nearly 6% of global biodiversity and has already achieved the 2030 target of protecting 30% of its marine territory well in advance.
“We are not saying it could be done. We are not saying it should be done. Costa Rica is doing it, putting our actions where our mouth is,” President Chaves declared. He stressed that “vision without action is just hallucination or demagoguery” and called for reformed financing criteria that don’t penalise middle-income countries that have succeeded in conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brought a developing world perspective to the discussions. He also highlighted the economic significance of the ocean whilst calling for greater international financial commitment. “The ocean generates two trillion and 600 billion dollars annually. If it were a country, the ocean would occupy the fifth position among the world’s largest economies,” Lula observed.
The Brazilian leader highlighted the chronic underfunding of marine conservation initiatives, noting that the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, dedicated to marine resource conservation, “is among the least funded objectives of the entire 2030 agenda”. He called for what he termed a ‘mutirão’ – an indigenous Brazilian word meaning collective effort – to increase financial commitments to ocean protection.
Collaboration is key
The forum addressed multiple aspects of the blue economy, from sustainable fisheries and marine biotechnology to renewable energy and tourism. Prince Albert II explained that concrete solutions already exist across all these sectors, stressing that “this is no longer just about innovation, although it still plays a key role. This is about practical, operational, and profitable opportunities.”
The Prince of Monaco concluded by highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships and international alliances, noting that “we will need all the goodwill and all the talent available” to address evolving ocean challenges. He called for building bridges between countries, coastal communities, scientists, and economic players to bring the sustainable blue economy to life.
Monaco Life was there! See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video below…
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life. From left to right: Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and Prince William of Whales.
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