🔲 The Sovereign Prince called for unity to take action in favour of Arctic Regions at the Arctic Circle Berlin Forum 2024.
📍 7th - 8th May 2024
The Arctic Circle Berlin Forum gathered in the German capital scientists, decision makers, students and other stakeholders to debate on the development of scientific research on major environmental, social and economic issues through thirty sessions within the framework of the common theme The Arctic at Crossroads: Science - Climate - Policy - Europe. Arctic and Antarctic safeguarding was on the spotlight as prior topic to be tackled in short term through an interstate coordinated action.
More than one hundred speakers addressed meaningful messages.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the event calling for unity and action, notwithstaning the ongoing geopolitical crisis.
The Sovereign Prince pointed out: «The emergence of the environmental issue is not only an additional part of the Arctic equation; it radically changes the game. Because with these new challenges, the Arctic ceases to be the exclusive concern of the bordering States and the people of which it is composed. It becomes a challenge for the entire human race, for its future, for the future of each one of us ».
Prince Albert II of Monaco recalled that human sovereignety is still uncertain and subject to change. It is therefore impossible to ignore the fragile links that keep ecosystems in harmony. Climate, Biodiversity and Natural Balance are the key. Addressing these matters contextualizing them into a larger dimension regarding Planet Earth environment preservation.
The Sovereign Prince concluded by highlighting that it is always possibile to take action, even if fragmented or restricted, with the necessary involvement of scientists, indigenous people and eco-committed associations to facilitate knowledge sharing.
A goal fully shared by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
🔲 Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of Nauru with a special focus on climate action.
📍 21st May 2024
The Principality of Monaco opened diplomatic relations with the Republic of Nauru (Part of Micronesia, Oceania, Central Pacific) following the signing of the joint announcements by H.E. Margo Deiye, Permanent Representative to ISA at Government of Nauru, and H.E. Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York.
This partnership with the smallest Republic in the world, member of the United Nations since 1999, is considered as a strategic also for its being particularly vulnerable to climate change with special regard to heat waves and sea level rising.
The Permanent Representatives debated on several topics of common interest, notably the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and benefit-sharing for developing countries within the High Seas Agreement.
🔲 The Sovereign Prince Prince called for the support to Indigenous communities while celebrating the World Biodiversity Day.
📍 22nd May 2024
On the occasion of the 2024 World Biodiversity Day, H.S.H. Prince Albert
II of Monaco recalled the pivotal role played by Indigenous communities in protecting natural ecosystems sustainably. His keynote was perfectly in line with this years' theme "Everyone has a role to play in protecting Biodiversity". One more reason to be part of the plan!
Forests, in particular, ensure the maintenance of an important share of biodiversity at the global level. Thus, they are always the most balanced ecosystem in line with environmental factors.
The Forests & Communities Initiative, recently by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, provides solutions for individuals & communities enhancing the contribution of local communities to preserve the most important ecosystem services linked to forests as Natural Capital assets like Climate Mitigation, Soil Fertilisation and Biosphere Conservation. The initiative, supported by the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, the International Ranger Federation and the Global Forest Coalition, covers relevant emblematic sites worldwide including: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South and South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands. Everyone can contribute joining the cause.
🔲 The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation promoted two topical meetings on Ecoystems Management within the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.
📍 22nd May 2024
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation - PA2F attended the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, held in Indonesia from the 18th to the 25th May 2024 as the key international summit to find cross-border solutions to guarantee a just access to fresh water on a global scale. Political action is necessary to find the perfect alliance between innovation, governance, and finance in order to prevent conflicts and climatic migrations resulting from the shortage of drinking water.
Within the framework of the Donors' Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE), launched in 2021 by PA2F, MAVA Foundation and Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean organised two meaningful meetings to develop the proposed theme Water for Shared Prosperity. On Wednesday, the 22nd May, Charting the Future of Freshwater Ecosystems: Success Stories, Collaboration, and Financing for Conservation and Restoration (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) gathered leading speakers from the The Convention on Wetlands, Office français de la biodiversité, PrimaProgram, and The Nature Conservancy to showcase effective strategies to keep freshwater ecosystem alive.
The following session Investing in Nature: How Can Freshwater Ecosystems Help Fight Climate Change? (5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) focused on the pivotal role of healthy freshwater ecosystems in mitigating climate change, as reaffirmed by delegates from IGRAC - International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, OECD, and Institut Méditerranéen de l'Eau - IME.
🔲 The Principality of Monaco attended the 4th UN Conference on Small Island Developing States, focusing on the Blue Economy.
📍 27th - 30th May 2024
The Summit held in Antigua and Barbuda (Eastern Caribbean) in late May under the theme "Charting he Course Toward Resilient Prosperity" aimed at accelerating the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) action plan to face climate change disastrous consequences impacting on local economies. After the economic and social crisis due to the pandemic, small islands found themselvs more vulnerable than ever.
H. E. Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations, reaffirmed the Principality’s support to encourage the Sustainable development of Small Islands through the Blue Economy approach. These territories surrounded by oceans play a decisive role in protecting the ocean and marine biodiversity.
The High Representative joined the High Seas Alliance meeting focusd on the new Treaty for the Conservation of the Marine Biodiversity of the High Seas, which Monaco recently ratified. The President of Palau, the first State to ratify the Treaty, the Ministers of the Maldives, Fiji, Belize, Singapore, Mauritius and the Ambassador of Micronesia also participated. Mauritius and Micronesia announced their ratification.
The Conference adopted a ten-year action programme to support the development of Small Islands, in particular in the fight against the effects of Climate Change, Sustainable Tourism, Capacity Building, Innovation, Energy Transition, Oceans and Access to International Finance. ***
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.
