Since 2020, seven school vegetable gardens have sprung across the Principality thanks to a partnership between the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco (FPA2), the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, Terrae and Monaco Telecom.
More than 2,000 children attending schools in the Principality regularly help tend the potagers, with input from the green-fingered team at Terrae, and the programme has been instrumental in instilling the importance of eco-friendly values and how seasonal shifts work to these young pupils.
“Raising awareness and educating younger generations about sustainable eating is essential,” says Olivier Wenden, the vice-president of the FPA2. “Understanding the seasonality of products, participating in their growth and cultivation creates a privileged link to the land. A connection that we have lost and that it is important to regain to build resilient and sustainable societies. We thank Monaco Telecom for supporting our actions for many years, thus showing the capacity of the Principality’s institutions to work together for the common good and transmission to new generations.”
Earlier this month, Monaco Telecom, the Principality’s primary telecommunications company, generously donated just over €11,000 to help fund the network of urban gardens through a clever scheme that charges customers under the age of 60 who continue to receive paper invoices instead of a digital version €10 per document.
Alongside the funds raised to support the school gardens initiative, Monaco Telecom has also donated €66,000 to other projects managed by the FPA2 in recent years.
The FPA2’s Olivier Wenden, Jessica Sbaraglia from Terrae and Martin Peronnet of Monaco Telecom. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department
“Reducing the company’s carbon footprint is a major challenge,” said Martin Peronnet, Managing Director of Monaco Telecom, during a recent visit to the school garden of the Ecole de Fontvieille. “Our commitment to sustainable and responsible digital technology involves, among other things, widespread dematerialisation, and in particular of our customers’ invoices. This is why, for several years, paper bills have become payable for subscribers under 60 years old. We are committed, in consultation with the Prince’s Government and the National Council, to ensuring that the amounts collected contribute to ecological initiatives.”
Jessica Sbaraglia, the former Swiss tennis star who founded Terrae, also attended the event.
“Our vegetable gardens as well as our Terrae courses give children a greater understanding of biodiversity, vegetables, seasonality, seeds, plants, herbs, compost and insects,” she explained. “We are very proud to contribute to this return to common sense and the values of the earth.”
Click on the images below to see more of the Ecole de Fontvieille garden:
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Yacht Club of Monaco clubhouse and, as General Secretary and Managing Director Bernard D’Alessandri explained to Monaco Life, it’s been pivotal in the evolution of the Yacht Club of Monaco.
Bernard D’Alessandri has been at the helm of the Yacht Club of Monaco since 1976, over 48 years, and under his tenure as general secretary and managing director, the club moved to a new state-of-the-art premises. Since then, membership has increased exponentially, representing a myriad of nationalities.
Prince Rainier III created the Yacht Club of Monaco in 1953 and it has been presided over by Prince Albert II since 1984, when he gave it a new impetus. It is important to remember that the first regattas date from 1863; before the YCM, there was the Monaco Nautical Society, so the Principality has integrated the world of yachting for over 160 years, well over a century.
After the Yacht Club de Monaco’s 70th anniversary celebrations last year, festivities continue in 2024 with the commemoration of 10 years in the new clubhouse designed by Lord Foster, one of the most prominent architects in Great Britain. Once again, the calendar lives up to the ambitions of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, initiated by YCM to position the Principality as a center of excellence in this sector. High-level sport, the environment, luxury yachting, and maritime heritage are again in the spotlight throughout the year.
Nicholas Monsarrat wisely said: “Sailors, with their built-in sense of order, service, and discipline, should really be running the world.” That is precisely how Bernard d’Alessandri has captained the Yacht Club of Monaco for almost five decades, plus his magnetism and charisma.
The Monaco Yacht Club was designed by Lord Foster and is a significant landmark in Monaco. Photo credit: McClic
Monaco Life: What does this anniversary milestone mean to its members, yachting, and the Principality?
Bernard d’Alessandri: This 10th anniversary of the new clubhouse is significant, as we wanted to reflect the international ambitions of the Principality. The Yacht Club de Monaco has two primary missions. Firstly, it is a private club that brings together people who are passionate about the sea. It has 2,500 members representing 81 nationalities and aims to be a unique place to live. It is, therefore, responsible for organising numerous events exclusively for its members.
But the YCM also has a public service mission to promote the yachting destination. It is a driving force in the port and in raising Monaco’s international profile. It is a veritable showcase for yachting that is undergoing a fascinating transformation. Today, sustainability is the watchword. In line with HSH, Prince Albert II’s vision, “Proof must replace promise”: we must reinforce and quantify actions to promote them with facts and figures. Under a policy firmly focused on protecting the environment, and as part of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, the YCM is ramping up initiatives that underpin its commitment.
What are the added benefits of this impressive new building that became the centerpiece of the harbour?
The Club, open to the sea and Monaco, is an iconic structure at 43°44’15” north latitude and 7°25’40” east longitude. This ship-like building, inaugurated in 2014, boasts 5,000 m2 of interior space, 4,000 m2 of terraces, 204 meters long, a height of 22 meters, and six floors, allowing for the simultaneous hosting of various events.
YCM is committed to environmental protection through initiatives like the YCM Explorer Awards-La Belle Classe (21stMarch 2024) and the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (1st to 16th July 2024). The clubhouse reflects this commitment, built to Haute Qualité Environnementale HQE standards and consistently meeting ISO 14001 criteria since 2016.
Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2023, credit: Stefano Gattini
Eco-friendly features include photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient LED lighting, adequate energy, heating, waste, and water management systems, a harbor water-recycling hydro cooling system, electric vehicle and boat charging points, and widespread photovoltaic and thermal solar panels. Recently, we added a plant to treat the Club’s pool water, further contributing to boat washing in the Sports Section. A temporary standalone hydrogen production station, a world premiere, has also been installed.
YCM also promotes individual eco-responsibility and raises awareness among yacht owners through the SEA Index, encouraging the reduction of CO2 emissions in yachting. Event organisation includes using dynamic buoys with electric motors, preserving the ecosystem, and electric boats for events and sailing courses.
Actively engaged in promoting individual eco-responsibility, YCM also raises awareness of yacht owners through the SEA Index, the first carbon footprint calculator to allow quick comparisons between superyachts over 25m, targeting objectives to reduce CO2 emissions in yachting with an incentive system for the most virtuous.
Event organisation is not left out. With the Club’s use of dynamic buoys equipped with an electric motor to position them remotely throughout a race, there is no need to anchor them to the seabed, which protects it, and a portable battery so it can run PC regattas autonomously in terms of energy. The use of semi-rigid electric boats for events and its many sailing courses completes the solutions now in place.
All these actions illustrate YCM’s ambitious, proactive vision of what being eco-responsible means today.
“To be honest, we weren’t very confident at the beginning, as it was a significant challenge to undertake.”
How did your work change when the MYC moved from its smaller, familiar quarters to the new state-of-the-art building?
To be honest, we weren’t very confident at the beginning, as it was a significant challenge to undertake. However, this new building quickly brought about substantial changes to our work, opening a world of possibilities. Firstly, this new spacious infrastructure allowed us to host and coordinate various events simultaneously, which was challenging in our former, more confined premises. The addition of Lord Foster’s signature boosted our international reputation. This yacht-shaped building showcased Monaco’s yachting prestige and the Yacht Club of Monaco, solidifying its status as a leading institution in the international yachting arena. Ultimately, this building marked a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the Yacht Club of Monaco.
View of the YCM Marina and club, credit: Ferretti Group
What is your secret for keeping the soul of the YCM intact despite moving to more extensive facilities with an increased membership?
We were committed to preserving the soul of the Yacht Club of Monaco despite moving to larger facilities and increasing our membership by embracing our motto, ‘One Spirit, One Team, One Club’. Our unwavering dedication to preserving our heritage, promoting a welcoming atmosphere, and continuously involving our 2,500 members has been crucial. We have carefully preserved significant elements from our previous location, strengthened our staff, and maintained our Club’s friendly spirit.
There is no better tool or equipment you can have on board than a well-trained crew. What strategy do you employ for building an efficient work team?
Passion is our driving force and a unifying factor among our staff. Probably due to the unique nature of the YCM being a private club, YCM staff shares a deep attachment to our members and the values of yachting. This devotion for the sea and yachting is accompanied by continuous training and various complementary profiles, with everyone committed to excellence in serving our members.
How do you interact with the Board of Directors? What would you say is their primary role?
We have a very regular exchange on roadmaps and policies. It’s a collaborative effort, and discussion is essential. The Executive Committee is like a council of wise men, an approval authority for the YCM budget and overall strategy.
Members Summer Cocktail, credit: Mesi
So many events, so little time! How do you organise so many members’ events, sailing school, yachting conferences, exhibitions, competitive regattas, private affairs, and more?
I think it’s a matter of strong will. We have incredibly motivated competent teams working tirelessly to ensure our events run smoothly. We also rely on the Commissaires Fleet, comprised of many Yacht Club of Monaco volunteers. They are the living force contributing enthusiasm and their expertise to organising all the Club’s events. Working hand in hand with the Club’s staff, the Commissaires Fleet is organised into five departments and offers its recruits training courses throughout the year to ensure the quality of the welcome and the smooth running of the Club’s gatherings, positioning it as a benchmark in sporting events.
What is the most rewarding about being a director of the YCM?
It is undoubtedly seeing the joy on the faces of those who come regularly to the Club and participate in our events, whether they are members, sailors, the yachting industry professionals, or the public. But I’m also thinking of the young racers in the Club’s sports section. They come to training with smiles and make memories that will last a lifetime. That’s priceless!
“The biggest challenge is not change itself but the acceleration of the process.”
What was the most challenging task you faced in your career so far?
I think it’s the one common to all industries and institutions nowadays: access to sustainability. We continue to transform, as do all conscientious industries. All the players are willing and open to change, but the biggest challenge is not change itself but the acceleration of the process.
Primo Cup 2023, credit: Stefano Gattini
How do you see the Yacht Club of Monaco evolving into the future?
I hope the Club will continue its momentum and remain a significant player in the yachting world and through the environmental transition. I hope the industry will continue its eco-responsible evolution and become a model to follow. My aspiration at my level and with my means is that I will have contributed to this change.
Above all, I want to share my passion for yachting with the new generation, which is the key to everything. It is for them that we are working to accompany the sector’s mutation, to encourage it to become more eco-responsible to protect the environment and allow our children to continue to enjoy the sea. In line with the wishes of YCM President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, who believes, “Faced with the climate emergency, it is imperative that living proof of progress replaces the promises,” we strive to demonstrate that the technology exists and is efficient.
Is there anything he can’t do? Monegasque F1 driver Charles Leclerc has released a four-track EP of piano songs produced in studio with Sofiane Pamart.
The 26-year-old has used his time wisely during the racing off-season, recording an EP that was released on Thursday 16th February.
Titled ‘Dreamers’, the opus features Charles Leclerc in collaboration with French composer and pianist Sofiane Pamart.
Announcing the upcoming release to fans on social media on 15th February, Leclerc said, “I have enjoyed every second of this moment. During the off season, I got in a studio for two days together with Sofiane and we worked on four songs that will be released tonight at midnight. I’m sooooo proud of the result.”
The pair will also release limited-edition vinyls of the Dreamers EP. The songs are currently available on streaming platforms like Spotify.
The Ferrari race-car driver has already released a number of singles, but this is his first EP.
After finishing third in the constructors’ standings last year, there’s no doubt Charles Leclerc will be “dreaming” of a better season when F1 officially kicks off on 2nd March in Bahrain.
Monacollecte 2024 is turning recycling into a playful quest for young explorers, showing children that their actions can contribute to a cleaner planet.
To redefine waste management, Monaco has turned the necessary but often overlooked task of recycling into a captivating experience. With the staging of Monacollecte 2024 on 16th and 17th February, the Principality is showcasing its innovative approach to environmental education.
Engaging the youth with creative workshops and VR
The event’s strength lies in its focus on engaging the youth through a blend of education and entertainment.
Throughout the Friday, schoolchildren are offered workshop slots where they immerse themselves in activities centred around waste sorting, recycling, and repurposing. The initiative to captivate children is evident in the popular VR Recycling Workshop, where participants are transported to a virtual sorting centre. Children can also enjoy a touch-based tabletop game that introduces a competitive element to waste sorting, pushing players to accurately sort waste under time pressure, either individually or in teams.
the Virtual Reality game at Monacollecte is a hit. Photo by Monaco Life
The mobile escape game, designed by Trizzy and led by SMA’s Waste Prevention and Recycling Officers, is another engaging feature. It combines the thrill of escape room elements with lessons on sorting, waste reduction, and reuse. This game, requiring registration and available every hour from 10 am to 5pm, showcases an inventive approach to environmental education, blending fun with learning. Click here to register: Réservation escape game | MoreApp
Creativity at its core
One of the event’s creative highlights is the ‘Street Art Customisation’ workshop, where participants get to create their own custom and personalised tote bags or pouches. This workshop promotes creativity and teaches the event’s sustainability values through art.
Beyond games and workshops, Monacollecte 2024 acts as a platform for local charities and the collection of reusable items, and emphasising the importance of community involvement in sustainability efforts.
With snow forecast to fall just in time for the school winter holidays, now is the time to book that last minute trip away for you and your family. But where to go?
From the classics of Courchevel, Chamonix, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Méribel and Megève – and many more in-between – in the French Alps to the timeless St. Moritz, Verbier and Gstaad of Switzerland, not forgetting the glorious Cortina d’Ampezzo or Val Gardena in the Dolomites of Italy, luxury resorts are aplenty in this part of Europe and many are only an hour away from Monaco as the helicopter flies.
The lively town centre of Courchevel. Photo source: Courchevel, Facebook
Among these iconic winter sports destinations, each has its own distinct appeal and character.
For a family-friendly atmosphere and activities catering to all age groups, places like Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Cervinia, Morzine and even Davos, which is most well-known for hosting the World Economic Forum, are all good contenders alongside the old favourites.
If you have older children or are looking to get away to somewhere with a party vibe with friends, look no further than Val d’Isère, a place known among the jet-set for its top-quality nightlife, the live music hotspot of Alpe d’Huez or even Verbier, which was voted as the best ski resort in the world by the World Ski Awards a few years ago.
And if it’s a challenge that you’re after, Avoriaz, Chamonix, Andermatt, Zermatt and Verbier are among the more adventurous destinations. For an off-piste experience, La Grave, which is about five hours by road from Monaco, is where it’s at.
La Grave: the pinnacle of black runs and off-piste skiing. Photo source: La Grave, Facebook
For the ultimate in luxury, it has to be Courchevel. This legendary ski haven is already home to numerous top-end hotels and private chalets, such as the award-winning Le K2 Palace, but a new name, a Monaco name, is also in town. At the end of last year, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer announced that it had finalised a deal to buy and renovate the Palace des Neiges.
There’s lots going on more locally to Monaco too. The resorts of Auron, Isola 2000 and Valberg are less than a two-hour drive door-to-door from the Principality, making them a great option for a weekend away.
Limone Piemonte’s Riserva Bianca resort, found just over the border in Italy, is a little further due to ongoing works on the tunnel that connects the authentic Piedmont village with Tende in France, but it is well worth a visit. One of its real strengths is the value for money. The food is generous, the fine wines are inexpensive and the welcome is top-notch.
Back in France, the Val d’Allos is just under two and a half hours from Monaco, but, again, it is worthy of the journey. The ski area, which offers access to La Foux d’Allos, Seignus and Pra Loup, is certainly one of the biggest and most varied in the region, and is very popular with French families thanks to its relaxed and inviting ambience.
The family friendly resort of Val d’Allos is two and a half hours in the car from Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
The current forecast for the southern Alps suggests snow will begin falling next weekend, while the larger resorts to the north will likely experience snowfall on and off throughout the week.
For the latest weather predictions in the mountains, click here.
Check out our Instagram reel featuring Val d’Allos below:
Members of the global scientific community will be heading to Monaco’s Musée Océanographique de Monaco later this month for ‘The Cold is Getting Hot’ symposium on how the alarming situation in the world’s polar regions is affecting the planet as a whole.
Scheduled to take place between 22nd and 23rd February, ‘The Cold is Getting Hot’ event is back for a second edition. It is set to bring together leaders from across the scientific world as well as environmentally minded experts for a series of discussions and debates on the health and future of Earth’s polar regions.
This time round, it will place a heavy focus on not only documenting and acknowledging the plight of the poles, but also the need to prioritse research and establish concrete policies that will ensure their protection and conservation going forwards.
The event is being co-organised by a prestigious list of key players on the environmental and world scene, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC). It has also benefited from input from the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco – the Prince Albert I Foundation, the Scientific Centre of Monaco, the European Polar Board and the World Economic Forum.
Attendance can be in-person or online, with streaming access open to the public. Further information on the event can be found here.
Following a call for applications last autumn, the Monaco Government has announced that 254 state-owned homes have been allocated to Monegasques and their families under the National Housing Plan.
A meeting of the Commission for the Allocation of State Housing concluded on 13th February with the announcement that 254 properties across the Principality had been allocated to successful candidates who had put their names and needs forwards during an application process that ran from 11th September to 6th October 2023.
The properties are based in three real estate developments: Block C of the Grand Ida near the Jardin Exotique and Boulevard Rainier III; the Carmelha, distinctive for its wooden façade and sustainable attributes; and the Tour Réséda of the Testimonio II Bis building.
Of those who applied for studios, 100% were accommodated by the Commission. 61% of those looking for a one-bedroom property were successful as well as 60% of applicants seeking a two-bedroom home. A full 85% after a three-bedroom apartment got what they asked for, while 50% of those searching for a four-bedroom flat had their wishes answered.
304 state-owned properties were allocated in 2023 and 212 units were made available to Monegasques looking for a new home in 2022.
The countdown is on for the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and organisers have revealed that reservations are already exceeding expectations.
With two months to go until Monaco hosts the highly anticipated Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, organisers gathered the press together on Thursday 15th February to officially kick-off the countdown.
Before highlighting this year’s tournament, David Massey, Director of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, revealed that the tennis tournament set a new benchmark in the world of tennis last year, not only by surpassing the 140,000-spectator mark for the first time but also through its significant charitable contributions.
The 2023 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, held from 9th to 16th April, enjoyed full attendance at Court Rainier III. The Court des Princes was also packed, while sales for auxiliary courts soared to a record 17,000 tickets in six days. Hospitality package sales also hit a new high, surpassing 1,100 and showing an increase from the previous year.
Thursday’s press conference was held at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort
Ticket sales surging in 2024
Reservations for the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters are already exceeding expectations, revealed Massey, with Court Rainier II fully booked from Monday through Sunday, and only a limited number of tickets remaining for the opening weekend. Impressively, ticket reservations for this year have surged by 30%.
Adding to the excitement, a special Gatsby Night will be hosted at the Salle des Etoiles on 13th April, following the day’s tennis action. Priced at €275 per person, the evening promises an unforgettable experience with dinner, wine, champagne, and coffee included all set against the glamorous backdrop of the roaring twenties.
The tournament’s impact extends beyond the tennis courts, with all proceeds from the event dedicated to Gemluc, an association of Monegasque businesses fighting against cancer.
Photo from left to right: Laurent Delanney, Associate Director Sponsoring at Rolex; Chris Kermode, Executive Advisor; Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, President of the Monegasque Tennis Federation; and David Massey, Director of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
The 2024 edition of Monacollecte is taking place on Friday and Saturday. It’s a great way to handover items you no longer need, while helping kids understand the importance of recycling.
“By 2025, the word ‘waste’ will no longer be part of our vocabulary; what is superfluous for us will become a resource for others.” These are the words of Prince Albert II and it’s the perfect quote for the Monacollecte team, who aims to inspire as many people as possible to participate in an initiative to reuse objects and promote waste recycling.
Organised by the Monegasque Sanitation Company (SMA) and the Town Planning Department, in collaboration with the Municipality of Monaco, Monacollecte brings together different charitable associations, including the Monaco Red Cross.
They will be on site at Port Hercule on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February to collect reusable items such as clothing, games, books and computer equipment, as well as small household appliances, provided they are clean and in good condition. The rest will be recycled via SMA’s recycling or processing facilities. A full list is available on the company’s website.
During the two days, free events, exhibitions and information stands on the collection, sorting, recycling and treatment of waste will be organised, with activities such as virtual reality and escape rooms.
With the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season just weeks away and less than 100 days until the Monaco Grand Prix in May, Scuderia Ferrari has unveiled its SF-24, a car that represents the dreams and aspirations of a brand hoping that this year will mark a return to days of glory.
After weeks of teasing its imminent arrival, Scuderia Ferrari has lifted the curtain on the brand-new SF-24, its latest Formula 1 car, at a showcase held at the Fiorano Circuit near the manufacturer’s famous Maranello headquarters.
The SF-24 is the 70th car that Ferrari has built to take part in the F1 World Championship and represents the third in F1’s ground effect generation.
Led by Enrico Cardile, the design team say they have created a car that will be is easier for drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to drive: “The goal is to allow them to make the most of the power unit’s potential, combined with their undoubted skill behind the wheel.”
The SF-24 sports a new white and yellow livery, inspired by a successful reveal in Las Vegas and honouring Ferrari’s racing legacy. With less black and the first white and yellow stripes since 1968, the markedly different aesthetic symbolises Ferrari’s desire to refresh its approach to racing in Formula 1 and the endurance category.
“Every area of the car has been redesigned”
“I like the look of the car a lot, including the white and yellow parts on the bodywork,” says Monaco-born and bred Leclerc of the new design, “but of course, what really interests me is how it will perform on track, as that’s all that matters. The SF-24 ought to be less sensitive and easier to drive and for us drivers that’s what you need in order to do well. I expect the car to be a step forward in several areas and from the impression I formed in the simulator I think we’re where we want to be.”
Cardile, meanwhile, says, “With the SF-24, we wanted to create a completely new platform and in fact, every area of the car has been redesigned… We have taken on board what the drivers told us and turned those ideas into engineering reality, with the aim of giving them a car that’s easier to drive and therefore easier to get the most out of and push it to its limits. We did not set ourselves any design constraints other than that of delivering a strong and honest racing car.”
With the longest-ever racing season ahead – 24 races, to be exact, beginning in Bahrain on 2nd March – Monaco’s homegrown driver Leclerc is clear on what he wants to get out of the car and of 2024.
“This season, the aim is to be front runners all the time and I want to give our fans plenty to cheer about, by dedicating race wins to them,” says the 26-year-old.
Click here to explore the full specifications of the new SF-24 model.
In early February, Prince Albert headed for the Tunisian capital of Tunis to open and actively participate in talks being held at the fifth Mediterranean Water Forum.
A staunch environmentalist known predominately for his actions in favour of ocean conservation and protections, Monaco’s sovereign used the international event as an opportunity to switch the dialogue to the threats facing freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean.
“As we all know, multilateral meetings tend to focus on major water access projects,” said Prince Albert in his opening remarks. “Desalination plants, large-scale water conveyance infrastructures and other technological innovations are all obvious solutions to water scarcity. But these solutions are often costly and energy-intensive, and they overshadow, in these political discussions, the need to preserve the very origin of water, i.e. its natural environment: groundwater, springs, freshwater ecosystems.”
Endangered and dangerously under-funded
The latest research suggests that over half of the wetlands in the Mediterranean are in peril and at the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE) side event, a programme launched by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) in 2021, Léa Glâtre from the DIMFE warned of the dangerously low investment in their conservation.
“A study shows how, in grants across 126 European foundations [and] 13 themes, freshwater projects are among the least funded, with only €16 million granted in 2021,” she told the audience, which included Prince Albert.
The event, which was held in partnership with MedWET, aimed to remind those present of the imperative nature of preserving and protecting water supplies in the region, and to not lump the area’s specific issues into general discussions on water, echoing Prince Albert’s earlier discourse.
“Preserving and restoring wetlands is not only our life insurance for the future, but also our main ally in guaranteeing sustainable development for all Mediterranean countries,” counselled another of the event’s key speakers, Anis Guelmami, who is a coordinator at the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory.
The Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE) was launched by the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco in 2021. Photo credit: FPA2
Marianne Courouble, a policy expert at MedWET, also warned that: “The public policies in Mediterranean countries do not sufficiently integrate the approach ecosystems such as wetlands for the extraction, storage, treatment and distribution of water, instead of treatment and distribution of water, instead of grey infrastructure, and the same goes for mitigating climate change.”
The ultimate conclusion of the Mediterranean Water Forum was the advice that “a holistic approach to water management, cooperation between Mediterranean states, and the mobilisation of international funding are recommended to tackle the crisis”.
This view was succinctly summed up by a representative of the FPA2, who said, “Freshwater ecosystems must be at the heart of decision-making and management of water resources, seeing them as vital solutions to the crisis.”
Monaco’s contribution touristique – the equivalent of France’s taxe de séjour or tourist tax – has been made law, and with this news comes confirmation of the additional charges that all hotel guests in the Principality can now expect to pay.
The concept of the tourist contribution tax made its way through the Conseil National de Monaco in the summer of 2023, more than 20 years after the Principality’s closest neighbour of France introduced a similar scheme.
At the time, a maximum charge of €15 per person and per night was recommended by Franck Julien, a Conseil National member and the president of the Finance and National Economy Commission, but the final figures fall considerably under that.
As per Decree N° 2024-72 dated 5th February 2024, guests at a hotel, hotel residence or aparthotel in Monaco can expect to pay:
€7 per person and per night for a five-star establishment, such as the Hôtel de Paris, the Hôtel Hermitage or the Hôtel Métropole and its residential sector, compared to the €14 charge originally noted in a now modified decree from December 2023
€5 per person and per night instead of €13 for a four-star establishment, a category that includes the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the Fairmont Hôtel and its residence sector, Hôtel Port Palace and Le Méridien Beach Plaza
€3 per person and per night at a three-star hotel and aparthotel in the place of a previously suggested €10
€2 per person and per night for the Principality’s only two-star establishment, the Hôtel de France, instead of the planned €5
When the concept was first floated, Conseil National members acknowledged a need to create a separate tariff for guests staying in the Principality for professional reasons. While this initially appeared to include those visiting for work and events, this category has been reduced to exclusively cover “journalists and influencers and any professional promoting Monaco”, as stipulated in a communiqué released by the Conseil National last week.
This group of visitors will be asked to pay a symbolic €1 fee per person and per night regardless of their level of accommodation.
As things currently stand, the contribution touristique will not apply to furnished rental properties – an Airbnb, for example – but this may change in the future.
As of 14th February 2024, a digital form of all French driving licences can be applied for on the France Identity app and used in the place of the traditional card or paper format in a variety of day-to-day situations.
The new system, which is free-of-charge and entirely optional, does not completely replace physical licences, but it does mean that motorists can use this convenient form of ID when stopped by law enforcement, for example.
This alternative format should limit a person’s chances of losing their physical licence – or having it stolen – and allow standard formalities to be handled without the complete disclosure of a motorist’s personal data as well as combat online fraud.
France’s Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories, Gérald Darmanin, says of the new service, “Thanks to the France Identity application, you will be able to download your driving licence to your phone. This device will not replace the physical version, but will complement it in order to simplify your life.”
To add a digital driving licence to a smartphone, the holder of the licence must first download and sign up to the France Identity application. Then they must download a copy of their Relevé d’Information Restreint (RIR) from the Mes Points Permis website and use the provided QR code to upload their driving licence to the France Identity app.
To present the licence to an official, a motorist need only open the app – no internet access is required – and select ‘Present your driving licence’. A contactless connection is then established between the police device and a motorist’s smartphone.
The French government is in the process of broadening the uses of the France Identity app. In the future, it will be possible to use the app to store other useful documentation, such as car registration and insurance papers.
With Zone C schools already on their half-term breaks and Zone A soon to join them, the news of an incoming train strike couldn’t come at a worse time for the many thousands of families who have made travel plans for this weekend.
Although Christophe Fanichet, the head of SNCF Voyageurs, says that the “most booked” trains will be prioritised, such as those travelling to and from the Alps for families and groups with ski holidays on the line, high-speed TGV connections are likely to be 50% operational at best over the weekend after a cross-section of railway unions called on ticket inspectors and other onboard staff to walkout.
Current estimations suggest that up to 90% of personnel will be participating.
Fanichet, meanwhile, has pledged to uphold 85% of the journeys booked for the 9,000 minors due to use the SNCF’S Junior et Cie service for accompanied travel. He added that alternative services would be provided for the remaining 15% of the affected passengers.
The motives behind the strike
The unions are in an uproar over what members say are broken or unfulfilled promises made to them following agreements on wages, bonuses and retirement-related commitments that came in the wake of strikes in December 2022
“We are discussing issues of remuneration, with the increase in a long-term and monthly work bonus, additional commitments on extending the end of careers and respecting the agreement signed in 2022,” Julien Troccaz, the Sud-Rail union’s Federal Secretary, told reporters on LCI.
Fanichet, for his part, has called the walkout “incomprehensible” and says that “the company’s commitments… are being kept”.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has also weighed in on the situation, with some choice words reserved for the French “habit”, as he described it, of holding strikes.
“The French are very attached to the right to strike,” he told the press. “They know that striking is a right, but I believe they also know that working is a duty. Especially when we must allow French people who work all year round [and] who for a few days want to reunite with their families and loved ones to be able to do so. I call for the greatest responsibility, once again, for the French.”
A warning has been published on the SNCF website that reads: “SNCF travel will be significantly disrupted from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th February due to nationwide social action organised by onboard rail staff. We encourage passengers to verify the status of their trains and correspondences the evening before travel, from 5pm.”
In a move that will undoubtedly enhance the reach and scope of its Sport and Education programme, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has partnered with two esteemed organisations that share its goals of advocating for and promoting well-being in children.
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has formed a strategic alliance with the Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians and the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association.
“Sport inspires and gives us hope, it can unite people and nations,” said Princess Charlene of this latest stage of growth and expansion for her Foundation. “The alliance with the Al Oerter Foundation based in the United States and the Pierre de Coubertin Association based in Paris is an ideal opportunity to develop one of the priority missions of my Foundation to promote well-being and help children develop through educational projects and sports activities.”
Since its creation 12 years ago, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has helped enrich the lives of over 1.2 million children in 43 countries and has backed over 500 events.
“Two powerful universal languages: art and sport”
The Al Oerter Foundation, established in 2006 and named after Olympic gold medallist Alfred Oerter Jr., and the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association, for the ‘grandfather of the modern Olympic Games’, share the Princess Charlene Foundation’s vision of using art and sports to inspire and educate youth.
Cathy Oerter, the Al Oerter Foundation’s president, has expressed her enthusiasm for the new relationship, saying, “We are extremely honoured to have Princess Charlene and her team from the Monaco Foundation by our side.”
Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin, meanwhile, has also enthused over the partnership’s potential, saying, “Together, our three organisations can build and facilitate effective programmes to inspire children and communities around the world through two powerful universal languages: art and sport.”
As the 2024 Summer Olympic Games approach, the three entities are in the process of finalising plans for a range of activities that will promote their collective missions.
