Marine Biodiversity Treaty drafted at UN

Major progress has been made on a new marine biodiversity treaty known as BBJN, of which Monaco has been a key contributor.

According to the French government, the past two weeks has been a busy time at the fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiations on a treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ process, held at United Nations headquarters in New York.

A collective of countries had gathered to create the outline of a treaty that could have far-reaching impact on marine causes and conservation.

The basics of the treaty primarily address the creation of marine protected areas, the completion of environmental impact studies in the high seas, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of marine genetic resources.

France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Minister of State for Marine Affairs applauded the progress made in taking this important step which comes a few months before the UN Biodiversity Conference, more familiarly known as COP15, in December in Montreal.

During this year’s COP15, a legal framework is expected to be created for biodiversity, of which France and Monaco both are in support of, as evidenced by both Prince Albert II’s and French President Emmanuel Macron’s participation at the One Ocean Summit held in Brest earlier this year. Both countries were also active at last year’s COP15 conference.

“In this Year of the Oceans, which marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international community must redouble its efforts to reach an agreement,” said the French government in a statement. “With its EU partners and the ‘Protecting the ocean, time for action’ coalition which it has initiated, France will continue to work so that an ambitious and universal treaty can be agreed in a few short months, which will strengthen governance of the high seas and create the necessary tools for the effective protection of the ocean and sustainable use of its resources.”

Furthermore, France is vying to be host, alongside Costa Rica, of the next UN Ocean Conference set for 2025.

 

 

SEE ALSO:

SUMMARY: MONACO’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN OCEAN CONFERENCE

 

Photo credit: Wexor Tmg on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

Back-to-back titles for Monaco Rugby 7s

The Monaco Rugby 7s have won consecutive titles, beating Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées during Saturday’s final in Pau ahead of November’s grand final in Paris.

In the three tournaments in which Monaco have featured this season, they have reached the final every time, winning the last two, firstly in La Rochelle and now in Pau. It is also the Principality side’s sixth consecutive final.

Given their impressive record, Cecil Afrika’s men will certainly be ranked amongst the favourites to win the grand final in Paris on 19th November.

Whilst Monaco strode to victory last weekend, they didn’t have it all their own way this time around. Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées ran Monaco close, finishing within three points of the eventual winners (24-21).

Monaco had enjoyed an easy ride to Saturday’s final, beating Victorieux de Brive (45-7), Bordeaux-Bègles (33-17) and most comprehensively, Racing 92 (34-0).

The squad will be teeming with confidence going into the finals, as they look to go one further than last year and win the title. On current form, it would be difficult to bet against them doing so.

 

Photo source: Monaco Rugby Sevens

 

 

 

 

 

Premier League Highlights: Liverpool score 9, Man City come from behind

In Monaco Life’s new feature, we round-up the Premier League action, including Liverpool’s 9-0 drubbing of newly-promoted Bournemouth and Manchester City’s remontada against Crystal Palace.

Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth – Liverpool equalled the Premier League record for the largest win during Saturday’s fixture against Bournemouth. In the wake of that result, Cherries’ manager Scott Parker has been sacked. Liverpool pushed for a 10th, which would have beaten the Premier League record, but failed to do so.

Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace – Despite going two behind to Patrick Vieira’s side at the Etihad, an Erling-Bruut Haaland-inspired Manchester City fought back to claim the three points.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham – Arsenal also came from behind as they continued their positive start to the season, whilst maintaining the feel-good factor at the Emirates. They left it late to grab the victory with Gabriel’s 86th minute goal completing the turnaround and return back to the summit of the Premier League.

Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City – Brendan Rodgers’ side’s miserable start to the season continued at Stamford Bridge. Despite going down to 10-men early on, Chelsea scored twice through Raheem Sterling, which was enough for the Blues to claim the three points.

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Leeds United – Graham Potter continues to work miracles at the AMEX stadium. The south coast side were very briefly top of the league as they continue to surpass expectations. The club are nine unbeaten in the league, a record for the club.

Brentford 1-1 Everton – A late Vitaly Janelt goal salvaged a draw for Brentford in a game that they largely dominated. Anthony Gordon, who is heavily linked with a move away from Goodison Park open the scoring, but the Toffees couldn’t hold on.

Southampton 0-1 Manchester United – Erik Ten Hag’s men backed up their win against Liverpool with a narrow win at St Mary’s. Without overly convincing, a Bruno Fernandes goal was enough to give Manchester United the three points.

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur – A Harry Kane double gave Tottenham the points at a bouncing City Ground. Newly-promoted Forest had their chances, but ultimately didn’t take advantage. Steve Cooper’s men will, however, still be happy with their positive start to the season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Newcastle United – A late Allan Saint-Maximin stunner salvaged a point for the away side. The former Monaco and Nice player has begun the season in scintillating form, proving decisive against Manchester City last week and again this week at Molineux.

Aston Villa 0-1 West Ham United – West Ham registered their first points of the season with victory over Aston Villa. Pablo Fornals’ finish midway through the second-half eased the pressure on David Moyes, whilst ramping up the pressure on Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.

Monaco Life’s Premier League Highlights will be published every Tuesday. Make sure you’re signed up to our free daily newsletter so you don’t miss out on all the football news! Register by clicking here.

 

 

 

‘Son of Monaco’ celebrates 50 years on the stage

Monaco-born Richard Lord is marking 50 years of music-making, as well as his 75th birthday, with a live concert at the Opéra Garnier in September.

Richard Cavassuto, born in Monaco in 1947, was destined to become a musician. At the age of 12, for the children’s Christmas gift-giving at the Palace in 1959, the young Cavassuto was given a guitar by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, a present that would shape his future.

He was a fixture in several rock bands in the early 1960s, including as drummer for The Vampires, Bassist for The Yankees and The Ombres, as well as leader vocalist and bass player for The Outlaws.

In 1971, after recording sessions at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London, Richard Cavassuto became Richard Lord and made his debut as a solo artist, releasing the single ‘Everybody Loves a First Time’.

Abbey Road, the studios made famous by the Beatles, was clearly an inspiration for Lord, who returned to Monaco in 1983 to perform a show comprised of 15 Beatles songs, called Abbey Road Sixties, which he performed in front of Prince Rainier III. The music of the sixties has been the backbone of his career, with tribute concerts being regular occurrences.

Over the years, he has played several times in Monaco, and organised events such as the 1999 concert bringing together six bands from the 1960s who performed at the Sporting, and a 2005 concert where newly coronated Prince Albert II joined the band playing the drums. Additionally, he sang a ballad called Jacques and Gabriella at the baptism of the twins in 2015 in front of 400 assembled guests.

Now he is back on stage in the Principality for a concert celebrating his 75th birthday on 10th September at the Opéra Garnier with a new album called Best of 75. For more info on how to get tickets and on the event, email livre75@abbeyroadmc.com

 

 

“Hysterically funny” cabaret show Delirious

The Grimaldi Forum is playing host to a raucous circus cabaret that promises to be a “thrilling night” and is getting rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Monaco is getting Delirious!

The hit circus cabaret team has returned to Monaco from 26th August to 4th September with nine new performances, and two special nights dedicated to the sexually-charged comedy show Never Sleep Alone.

Delirious is the brainchild of the 8 Stars team, who in the midst of the pandemic brought a little light to the Principality in January 2021 with its cabaret, circus and artistic show Bohemia. It was a huge success and it spurred the creation of their latest endeavour, Delirious.

The new show combines dance, music, humour, acrobatics and special acts by an eclectic mix of performers such as the wonderfully monikered Kitty Bang Bang, a burlesque queen from England, Jarrod Bates, an American clown who worked for Cirque du Soleil, Maria Moncheva, a former Bulgarian classical dancer who excels in aerial disciplines, Daniel Sullivan, Irish dance expert, Soen Geirnaert, Belgian gymnast, the Venezuelan singer and dancer Michie Aranguren, and Sebastian Plester, a Colombian circus artist.

Delirious, the show, by 8 Stars is currently on show at the Grimaldi Forum. Photo source: 8 Stars

The show, designed by Artistic Director of 8 Stars Nicolas Jelmoni, has seen the artists preparing in Sainte-Maxime over the past several weeks to ensure flawless execution and if what audiences are saying is true, it was worth every second spent.

The last two nights of Delirious will have an additional performance by straight-talking sexual evangelist and best-selling author Dr Alex Schiller. His show, Never Sleep Alone, has been touted as “sexy live entertainmentwhere the audience experience laughs, learns and literally hooks up with each other!”

With that kind of a build-up, the night is bound to be something out of this world.

 

Click on the images below. Photos credits: 8 Stars Monaco

 

 

Monaco go toe-to-toe with reigning champions

AS Monaco clinched a deserved draw against PSG on Sunday in an entertaining game that will boost the side ahead of a difficult run of fixtures.

The two clubs couldn’t have been heading into the fixture in more contrasting form. PSG come into the game on the back of three consecutive wins during which they have scored 17 goals, including seven against Lille last weekend.

Monaco, meanwhile, are yet to find their rhythm. After an opening day win, they then drew with Rennes, before being comprehensively beaten by Lens 4-1 at the Stade Louis II last Saturday. However, Philippe Clement’s side didn’t show any scars from that defeat, and from the first whistle they took the game to PSG, employing an intense and brave high press.

The intelligent pressing traps and determination in one-on-one duels allowed them to control the game in the opening minutes. Employing a back three for the first time in the league this season, Monaco looked to be working from a solid base, whilst Mohamed Camara, making his first start for the club, was dogged in his work to disrupt PSG’s world-class attacking line.

Monaco’s strong start was rewarded with a goal mid-way through the first-half. Camara’s challenge on Lionel Messi allowed Kevin Volland and Aleksandr Golovin to exchange passes. The former then ran in on goal and sent a shot low to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s left.

With a lead to protect, Monaco didn’t let up and the side continued to deploy a high-block. However, they were lucky to go into the break ahead. Messi’s long-range effort hit the post, deflecting the ball into the path of Kylian Mbappé, who had an open goal to aim at, but he could only hit the foot of the opposite post.

Monaco still had their own chances too, the most gilt-edged of which fell to the usually prolific Wissam Ben Yedder, but having rounded the keeper at distance, he couldn’t divert his effort on target.

With their 100% win record on the line, PSG began to lay siege on the Monaco goal and the pressure finally told midway through the second-half. A driving Neymar run provoked a clumsy challenge from Guillermo Maripan in the box. The Brazilian then got up and converted the penalty himself to level the tie.

From there, Monaco were hanging on. Achraf Hakimi saw his effort cannon on the post, and minutes later, the all-too familiar image of Mbappé bearing down on goal alluded to a PSG winner. However, for once, the goal did not bulge, and Alexander Nübel spread himself well to block the shot and keep the scores level.

The game finished 1-1, the point moving Monaco up to 12th, whilst PSG go top of the Ligue 1 table on goal difference. Post-match, Clement said he was “satisfied” with the result, adding, “We showed by taking a point here, you can take points everywhere, and that is important for the future, to have this as a reference match.”

Clement’s men will certainly be expected to earn the three points when they host Troyes on Wednesday, although the following league matches, firstly against Nice and then Lyon, will provide a sterner test. However, a gritty performance on the Champion’s garden means they go into the difficult run with renewed confidence.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco