An annual event aims to highlight the contribution that contemporary smart women make in various strategic fields of expertise, creating a meaningful space for the exchange of high-level ideas and experiences. The 2025 Monaco Women Forum - MWF, under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco, was held on the 21st March at the Méridien Beach Plaza under the theme "The New Space Race" to explore the complex issue of space from the point of view of technology, climate mitigation, cybersecurity, quantum communication and public-private cooperation, through the contribution of international experts.
The event, at is eight edition, was created by Cinzia Sgambati Colman, journalist and entrepreneur based in the Principality, with the aim to showcase women's expertise, leadership and impact. As the founder recalled, this year’s main topic is to honour the category of astronauts and everything that goes around them. A group of great professionals who enable space and satellite launches and all the related cutting edge projects.
"This year’s event showed the growing importance of women in space and technology and it laid the foundations for a key debate on responsible governance of space", Cinzia Sgambati Colman, Founder of the Monaco Women Forum.
The Panel No. 1 highlighted the positive impact of space technologies on Planet Earth’s ecosystems and the need to manage them sustainably throughout their entire life cycle.
Dr Francesca Cipollini, Head of the ESA Ground Segment & Data Management Division at the European Space Agency (ESA), pointed out that Europe has been recognised as a leader in the field of space technologies for earth observation, which are crucial to planning effective strategies to fight against climate change and to encourage the sustainable development transition. A series of scientific and meteorological satellites, jointly with EUMETSAT, Copernicus and the European Union, play a crucial role in providing essential data to build up scientific models and set European regulation able to raise awareness on topical issues like sea rise, ice melting, deforestation and greenhouse gases.
Dr Sandrine Mathieu, Head of Institutional Relations at ACRI-ST (independent SME focused on space data management headquartered at Sophia Antipolis), explained how the analysis of space data enables a better understanding of environmental phenomena and their prediction. All this information is used to develop indicators that can accurately determine devastating phenomena linked to human activity (e.g.: deforestation, ocean plastic pollution, etc.) or the effects of the average global temperature increase (e.g.: reduction of polar ice caps, etc.), being capable to forecast extreme weather conditions (e.g.: typhoons, storms, tsunamis, etc.). Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide a faster processing of these complex data with the increasing support of public-private partnerships, as stressed by Dr Marco Rocchetto, CEO and Co-Founder of Spaceflux and Telescope Live.
The fundamental role of Planet's satellites should make us think about their management even when they are no longer in use. Every kind of debris from human-made rockets continues to orbit around the Earth at very high speeds, up to 18,000 miles per hour, representing a potential risk in case of collision with other objects in the same orbit. In the absence of a specific regulatory framework, one of the largest global garbage dump came to life, piling up about 6,000 tons of rotating materials. Thus, it is crucial to regulate space pollution sustainably. Dr Sabrina Andiappane, Managing Director at ClearSpace (Luxembourg), stressed : "Let us not make the same mistakes in space as we did on Earth".
The Panel No. 2 brought to light the new frontiers of space exploration.
Eng. Johanna Sepúlveda, Senior Expert Quantum-Secured Communications Technical Domain Manager, introduced the audience to the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure EuroQCI, an ambitious initiative she chairs as Chief Engineer. Relying on an a set of advanced fibre communication networks connecting strategic sites at national, cross-border and space level, the EuroQCI contributes significantly to enhancing the protection of sensitive institutional, health and energy grid data, in the European area.
But space technology is also about make it possible for human beings to regain the space. Eng. Federica Vagnone, Engineering Delivery Manager at Thales Alenia Space, the prototypes of lunar housing modules designed to return to the Moon and to explore Mars in the undefined future. A goal that could perhaps be achieved sooner than expected considering the rapid increase in strategic investment to reinforce the international collaboration among space agencies, as recalled by Eng. Nia Asmady, Space Technology Manager ·at the PASIFIK SATELIT NUSANTARA (Indonesia).
The Panel No. 3 focused attention on space security and governance.
Ensuring the quality of information and data sharing builds trust among countries while misinformation prevents cross-border cooperation to deal with global threats, as stated by Dr Alessandra Guidi, Deputy Director General of the Italian Information Department for Security (Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers). We must consider that we are not only subject to digital threats but also electromagnetic ones, as outlined by Eng. Domitilla Benigni, President of Cy4gate and CEO of Elt Group.
Dr Bianca Lins, Legal Manager, Lecturer, Author, Mentor on Cybersecurity and Space, pointed out how over-regulation in Europe could slow down innovation, while Dr Rosanna Hoffmann, Space Law Advisor at the UN Space Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), highlighted the importance of adopting binding regulations for an effective and sustainable cooperation.
The Prix Monte-Carlo Femme de l'Année 2025 paid tribute to exceptional female personalities in the space industry.
The Prix Monte-Carlo Femme de l'Année (Monte-Carlo Woman of the Year) Award Ceremony, under the High Patronage and Honorary Presidency of H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco, was held on the same day, following up the 8th Monaco Women Forum.
Hélène Huby, Founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, was awarded the "Prix Monte-Carlo Femme de l'année" by Christophe Pierre, Director of Space Affairs of the Principality of Monaco, while Amalia Ercoli Finzi, Scientist and Space Engineer, received the "Special Career Award" by Cinzia Colman, President of the Award and the Monaco Women Forum.
The Exploration Company was launched by the French Entrepreneur, Hélène Huby, with the aim to conceive and develop Nyx, a modular and reusable space vehicle able to be refilled in orbit to extend its missions. Her visionary business project left a mark in space technological evolution, enabling her to sign strategic contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA) and private operators, notably Starlab Space.
Amalia Ercoli Finzi, skilled Aerospace Engineer and Professor Emeritus of the Politecnico di Milano (Milan Polytechnic), dedicated her whole life to research applied to space missions. She joined major space projects as a scientific advisor to the Italian Space Agency and ESA, standing out for her humanity, humility and determination. Acting as the President of the Italian Association of Women Engineers and Architects, she is source of inspiration for thousands of young talented women worldwide, encouraging them to fulfil their potential, overcoming any gender stereotype.***
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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.
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