Prince Albert II visited Strasbourg and spoke during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1 October. The Sovereign’s visit was organized as part of Monaco’s current presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. This is the first time the Principality has assumed presidency since joining the Council in 2004.
The Prince’s day began with meetings with the Assembly’s President and Secretary General. Next, the Prince spoke during the Parliamentary Assembly. The Sovereign then visited the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), where he met with Mattias Guyomar, ECHR President. The day concluded with a gala dinner held as part of the Monegasque Gastronomy Week.
Meeting with President Bayr
Prince Albert II first met with Petra Bayr, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who presented the priorities of her presidency to the Prince, particularly regarding the environment. Discussions also covered the work of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, as well as international geopolitical situations, and migration.
The Sovereign then met with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. They spoke about the work accomplished by the Principality during its chairmanship, including the environment-focused meeting held in Monaco, and the visit to Kyiv by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Government Counsellor-Minister. They also touched upon the 19th Conference of Ministers for Sport, scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 November in Monaco.
The Prince’s Speech
During his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Prince Albert II highlighted Monaco’s commitment to “Upholding the rule of law, maintaining dialogue between nations, and preserving our planet.”
“In a fragmented world, our responsibility is to preserve the spaces where nations can meet, understand one another, and act together in the service of peace, stability, and progress,” said Prince Albert II during his speech.
The Sovereign praised Monaco’s social system as “arguably one of the most advanced on the continent,” and a place where “over one hundred and forty nationalities, with nationals in the minority,” coexist in “harmonious openness to the world.”
The Prince also stated that, whether it involves “protecting children’s rights, combating violence against women, fighting cybercrime, or promoting sport, Monaco has the opportunity to better affirm our identity and strengthen our efforts to extend and reinforce the principles that guide us across our continent.”
Lastly, the Prince spoke about “a subject very close to my heart: environmental protection.” He mentioned Monaco’s long-standing commitment and support for science, the protection of the oceans, and the preservation of biodiversity over the past 150 years. The Prince also spoke about his Foundation which has led or supported more than eight hundred projects around the world for the past 20 years.
“We know today that maintaining a viable planet—with preserved climate balances, living oceans, and thriving biodiversity—is essential to the development of humanity. Yet global warming, pollution, species extinction, and the degradation of the most fragile ecosystems are already having a tangible impact on our societies and economies, and are threatening the exercise of our fundamental rights,” said Prince Albert II.
The Sovereign then stated that, “No one can act alone. No State, institution, or actor—regardless of its nature—can be effective without uniting all stakeholders; for all bear responsibility for the current situation….Our response must therefore be collective, grounded in scientific knowledge, international cooperation, and our responsibility toward future generations.”
