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Harrison Ford: “Damn it, it’s not alright”

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2021

Prince Albert has joined Hollywood actor Harrison Ford and other high-profile personalities and world leaders in raising their voices to drive action for the preservation of the planet at a major conservation congress in Marseille.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress is being hosted in the south of France from 3rd to 11th September. This year’s congress is a key environmental milestone ahead of the United Nations conference on biodiversity and climate, to be held in Kunming and Glasgow, in the coming months.
It brings together several thousand leaders and decision makers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Prince Albert of Monaco, as well as nonprofit, Indigenous and civil society members from more than 170 nations with the goal of conserving the environment and promoting nature-based solutions to global challenges.
These congresses are held every four years, but the focus of this one in particular is how to achieve a nature-based recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework currently being negotiated under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
On Tuesday 7th September, Prince Albert of Monaco opened the session on oceans, highlighting the essential role that the ocean plays in human health and livelihoods, and the blue economy’s potential to restore ocean health, transition to clean energy, and create jobs.
The IUCN’s Minna Epps ended the session highlighting the key outcomes that included supporting the call for achieving the 30-by-30 target, protecting at least 30% of the global ocean as Marine Protected Areas and other conservation measures by the year 2030; and adopting a legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Restoring ocean health was just one of a number of themes to be explored during the nine-day high-level congress. Others include conserving freshwater to sustain life, leveraging economic and financial systems for sustainability, and managing landscapes for nature and people.


 
The One Planet Summit also formed part of proceedings, the aim of which is to offer a new, pragmatic and effective framework for action.
One of the most high-profile speakers at the congress was Hollywood acting legend Harrison Ford, who evoked plenty of emotion in his speech, saying: “It’s hard to devote yourself to a cause that is so urgent and not be able to get the traction needed to make the change that is absolutely necessary. It’s hard to read the headlines: floods, fires, famines, plagues, and tell your children that everything’s alright. It’s not alright. Damn it, it’s not alright. We’ve got to make things happen; we’ve got to make it happen now. Come on everybody, let’s get to work.”
 
 
Top photos sourced from the IUCN
 
 

Prince donates €1 million to Ireland’s Old Library during visit

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/09/2021

Prince Albert took his children on their first official visit to Ireland last week, where he met with Irish President Michael Higgins and was recognised for his generous donation to the historic Old Library at Trinity College.

Sixty years after his parents’ visit and a decade after his own first State visit with Princess Charlene, Prince Albert II returned to his ancestral homeland on Friday with Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella by his side.

The tour began with a trip to UCD Michael Smurfit university, accompanied by Sir Michael Smurfit, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Monaco and Dean of the prestigious university.

Along with Ambassador of Ireland in Monaco Patricia O’Brien, the Prince was also taken on a guided tour of a museum dedicated to Irish literature before being welcomed for lunch at the official residence of Irish President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabrina Coyne. There, the Prince was shown photos of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace’s official visit to Ireland in 1961.

Photo of Prince Albert with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabrina Coyne, by Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace

In the early afternoon, Prince Albert and his children, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, went to the Old Library at Trinity College where he was shown the Book of Kells, a 9th century Irish medieval manuscript famous around the world. This national treasure has been on display in the Old Library since the 1800s.

But the Princely family’s trip was more than just a cultural visit. Prince Albert was at Trinity College for the official unveiling of two friezes in his name. One, in the dining hall, sets in stone the name of himself and his wife Princess Charlene. The other, in the Old Library of the university, recognises his donation of €1 million towards the €90 million restoration of the library, which will see the removal of all 750,000 of its books into storage.

Photo of the frieze recognising HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in the Old Library at Trinity College, by Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace

“It is with great pleasure that through this donation I follow in the footsteps of my mother who had a deep affection for Ireland and signals the link to Princess Charlene’s forebears who were instrumental to the founding of Trinity,” said Prince Albert during the ceremony. “It is a great privilege for me − with this benefaction – to be part of this ambitious programme to conserve the 18th century Old Library building, creating a sustainable protective environment for the many extraordinary treasures it holds for Ireland and the world.”

During his visit, the Prince was also given a special viewing of the library’s collections related to the work of his grandfather Prince Albert 1, who was a keen oceanographer and explorer.

Photos by Éric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

Monaco backs global agreement to tackle marine plastic pollution

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/09/2021

With the volume of plastics flowing into the ocean set to triple by 2040 unless drastic action is taken, Monaco is among a number of countries calling for an international convention to control the making and disposal of plastics.
Monaco joined a long-list of countries participating in the Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution, initiated by the governments of Germany, Ecuador, Ghana and Vietnam, on 1st and 2nd September. With support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), its aim was to “create momentum and political will to advance a coherent global strategy to end marine litter and plastic pollution with an aim to ensuring a future with clean seas.”
It also prepared the ground for the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly on this subject, to be held between 28th February and 2nd March 2022.
In his speech to the conference, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said: “The forthcoming UNEP report, from Pollution to Solution, shows that marine litter is inescapable. Unless we take drastic action, by 2040, the volume of plastics flowing into the ocean will triple. Micro and nano plastics are pervasive. The pandemic is compounding the problem.”
Inger Andersen also highlighted new research which found that 80 per cent of plastic waste comes to the sea through 1,000 rivers. Scientists used to think 20 rivers at most carried the majority of plastic into the oceans, but now they know that it’s far more, complicating potential solutions.
“Humans generate almost 1.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste every year,” he said. “Yet many major cities lack adequate solid waste infrastructure. Poor waste management adds to the overall health cost of plastics in the environment.”
The UNEP Executive Director pointed to another new report from the Plastic Waste Makers Index, which has revealed the 20 companies that are responsible for producing more than half of all single-use plastic waste in the world, fuelling the climate crisis and creating environmental catastrophe. Among the global businesses are ExonMobil, Dow – the largest chemicals company in the world based in the US, and China’s oil and gas enterprise Sinopec.
“Climate change. Nature and biodiversity loss. Pollution. Plastics are wrapped up in all of them,” said Andersen. “The conclusion is obvious. Marine litter is best addressed by rethinking how we design, use and dispose of plastics. We need to revisit and inform the entire supply chain. And if we do this, we can make our economies, societies and planet greener and healthier.”
Monaco, in line with most participating countries, agreed on the need for an international convention dealing with the production, recycling, recovery and disposal of single-use plastic and plastic waste.
 
 
 
Photo of waterway pollution in Guatemala by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash
 
 
 

MYS Series: The Superyacht Broker

by:
02/09/2021

Key to the success of the Monaco Yacht Show are the guys that shake down the deals and act as the bridge between the buyer and the seller – The Brokers.
Patrick Coote is Managing Director, Europe, for the yacht broker firm Northrop and Johnson. With 25 years in the business, he has headed up operations at Fraser Yachts, the Azimut Benetti Group, Blohm+Voss and Vripack. He’s also been involved in initiatives such as setting up The Superyacht Show, Superyacht TV and the Explorer Yachts Summit.
Coote is upbeat and realistic as the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) 2021 looms into view. “The MYS has become an annual celebration of the latest and greatest yachts and innovations from across the superyacht world,” he tells Monaco Life. “It brings together brokers, shipyards, designers and suppliers for four intense days of networking and socialising. This year, more than ever, we can sense that there is a strong appetite among the industry players to get out and about again and interest levels from professional visitors seems high. Conversely, we don’t really expect to see hordes of buyers on the quayside. Travel restrictions and health concerns are still a big factor and unnecessary trips are not exactly high on people’s priorities at the moment. That said, I think we’ve all pretty much given up trying to second-guess things given the current state of world affairs!”

Da Vinci will be presented by Northrop and Johnson at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show

For the professionals involved in the sector, the MYS is always a good opportunity to catch up with industry colleagues and strategic partners from other luxury sectors. The yachts are like honey, attracting interest from various fields such as wealth management, private aviation, automotive, high end jewellery and real estate. “The show effectively becomes the global epicentre for UHNW advisors for four days. It’s therefore a hive of activity for a wide range of stakeholders from the luxury world,” says Coote.
The last 18 months have seen record numbers of yacht sales and it is fast becoming a seller’s market. Good quality, well-priced yachts are not staying on the market for long at all. According to Coote, if marketed properly, yachts really should sell relatively fast. “The inventory we are promoting at the moment is extremely high quality and will not be available for long,” he reveals. “We are bringing a good number of qualified buyers to Monaco in September and have no doubt that a number of sales will be achieved.”
That said, Coote expects footfall to be lower than previous years, not only because of the pandemic restrictions, but a general lack of good quality second hand yachts will not draw the big crowds. Northrop and Johnson, however, have several yachts for sale this year and are expecting  very strong interest, particularly in the Feadship Gitana (48m) as well as Liberty (50m) by shipyard ISA.
Inside Gitana, which will be presented by Northrop and Johnson at the MYS

For obvious reasons, the Covid era boosted interest and sales in superyachts and ignited a Carpe Diem attitude among new buyers with a thirst for escape, adventure and good times, all of which a yacht can deliver in abundance. Coote adds, “The charter world has battled with its own frustrations due to travel problems, re-scheduling and positive cases among crew and guests but many charter yachts have still been booked and busy this summer.”
On the whole, shipyards are busy and order books are filling fast, so for the majority of key industry players the last 18 months could have been a lot worse. Beyond the horizon Coote believes there are strong signs that demand for large yachts will stay high through 2022 and possibly into 2023. Nothing suggests a major slow down at the present time. “Life is short and we’re living in uncertain times. If you’re thinking of buying a boat, why wait?”
The 48-metre Feadship Gitana

A stronger interest in new builds is gratifyingly matched with an increased interest in sustainability and green technology. Power generation systems are the big focus these days. “Large yachts are designed to travel the globe, give their owners access to every corner of the world’s oceans. It makes sense therefore that all stakeholders in the industry want to ensure the marine environment both above and below the water is maintained to be as clean and healthy as possible,” says Coote. Owners are also becoming more adventurous and there’s a rise in expeditions to the Artic or Antarctic regions and extensive world cruises becoming increasingly popular too.
A keen focus on super-responsible cruising is the key to the oceans’ fragile future.
 

Close Quarters with Patrick Coote:

What’s your advice to someone looking to break into a career like yours?
Any and all experience in the yachting industry is valuable. It doesn’t matter whether you work as crew, in a shipyard or as an office intern for a broker, just get started as it is all valuable.
Your worst career moment?
I have little or no regrets.
Most difficult part of your job?
Juggling both work and family life. They just seem to blend into one these days.
Best part of your job?
Seeing smiles on the faces of yacht owners and their children having the time of their lives onboard.
What are you most proud of?
Pursuing and realising my childhood dream of doing what I do today.
Favourite meal?
I’m making a sincere effort to become vegetarian but my favourite meal is still a juicy steak!
A figure you admire?
Nobody more than my own father.
If you weren’t a yacht broker what would you be?
A property developer
Hobbies?
Polo and riding motor cycles.
Favourite Monaco restaurant?
Quai des Artistes.
What’s yours called?
MY If Only!
 
 
Photos courtesy Northrop and Johnson
 
 

Princess’ Foundation details 2020 achievements in annual report

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/08/2021

Despite the pandemic and all the restrictions that it brought, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was able to move forward with several key projects and programmes centred on water safety and drowning prevention, as well as putting on events, assisting in Covid prevention missions and welcoming a new ambassador.
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation this week released its 2020 activity report, highlighting the programmes, projects and key moments from the previous year, notably several key missions in 17 countries, a mask distribution scheme during the height of the first wave of the pandemic, the Le Mans virtual race, the Monaco Water Bike Challenge and the welcoming of a new ambassador, Peter Sagan.
The main focus of the Princess’ Foundation has always been on water safety, and whilst the majority of the activities were geared for this, the pandemic gave them a chance to offer help in other ways as well.
“2020 was a strange year for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, as it was for many humanitarian associations and NGOs around the world,” said Gareth Wittstock, the foundation’s General Secretary.“Fortunes changed and swayed, initial disappointments gave way to hope, and missed opportunities quickly turned into brand new ideas for the future. They were trying times for everyone.
“Throughout 2020, we remained strongly committed to fighting for the health and development of all children. We remained strongly committed to the fight against drowning, and we chose to commit to the fight against Covid-19.”
Princess Charlene herself reiterated her goals for the Foundation but acknowledged the limitations that 2020 brought.
“The primary mission of my foundation is to save lives by fighting against drowning, which results in an increasing number of deaths every year,” said the Princess. “Drowning rates continued to be of concern in many countries in 2020. Children had even more restricted access to pools and facilities enabling them to learn how to swim and to protect themselves against water hazards.”
The year in numbers
The Foundation, which was created in 2012, has since sponsored 398 projects in 38 countries around the world benefitting 864,465 individuals as of the end of last year.
In 2020 alone, the Foundation was instrumental in teaching 12,172 people to swim, gave 121,541 water safety skills, and educated 6,915 in the values of sport. The Foundation’s total investment in the projects came to €531,258.
The Foundation increased social media presence and had 7,000 Instagram followers, 21,000 Facebook followers and 19,327 YouTube hits.
Projects
The Foundation hosted drowning prevention and learn to swim missions in several countries, including in Burkino Faso, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, France, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Greece, Sudan, South Africa, Cambodia and the USA. This was enhanced by the online drowning awareness programme launched in summer 2020, which reminded people of water hazards throughout the summer season and got 34,000 views.
Additionally, The Foundation supported projects centred on Sport and Education to promote well-being and good childhood development. To this end, they hosted ‘Education through the values of sport’ missions in South Africa, Georgia, Madagascar and Monaco.
The Foundation took a different route when the pandemic hit, and distributed masks to institutions and organisations who were in desperate need of PPE in the early days of the first lockdown. Additionally, the Foundation took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans virtual race with their own team on the roster with team members Francesco Castellacci, Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa as well as a sim racer, Tony Mella.
The Calvi-Monaco Water Bike Challenge also returned despite the health restrictions, which pitted the Princess Charlene-led Team Serenity against Team Notorious, headed up by Gareth Wittstock.
Finally, the Foundation welcomed a new ambassador in the form of Serbian cyclist Peter Sagan. The three-time road race world champion joined the foundation as a face of the organisation and said at the time of his appointment that it was “an honour and a privilege for me to become an Ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and to contribute to its important mission.

Princess Charlene “thrilled” to reunite with Prince and children

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/08/2021

Prince Albert and six-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella have joined Princess Charlene in South Africa as she recovers from her recent surgery.
The princess, who has been in her homeland since earlier this year, took to Instagram to share the long-awaited reunion of her family.
The Palace recently announced that Prince Albert would be joining the princess as she recovers from a four-hour surgery undertaken on Friday 13th August.
Princess Charlene shared pictures on social media with the caption, “I am so thrilled to have my family back with me ❤️. (Gabriella decided to give herself a haircut!!!) Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS_VuctjIN1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
 
The photos indeed appear to show that the young princess attempted to give herself the same trendy haircut as her mother. The shots were taken by photographer Christian Sperka, the same photographer who captured Princess Charlene’s rhino conservation work in May.
The last time Prince Albert and their children were in South Africa was in early June, when the princess shared snaps of the family together on a safari.
Speaking to local media South Africa Radio 702 earlier this month, Princess Charlene revealed that she is not due to return to the Principality of Monaco until October when she is expected to be fully recovered from a severe ETN (ear, throat, nose) infection.
 
 
Photo: Instagram @hshprincesscharlene