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Monaco Blue Initiative Conference in Edinburgh in presence of de H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

Published on 9 April 2018 at 12:00 - Modified the 25 July 2023 at 03:01

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H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and H.E. Mrs Evelyne Genta with all the Conference's attendees.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco has been invited to give a speech on the occasion of the ninth edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative Conference in Edinburgh. He was accompanied by H.E. Mrs Evelyne Genta as well as H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, Vice President and Administrator of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Mr Robert Calcagno, Director- General of the Oceanographic Institute.

Founded in 2010 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI) is a discussion platform co-organised by the Oceanographic Institute- Foundation Prince Albert I, Prince of Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Its members gather once a year to discuss global challenges of Oceans management and conservation. This event offers an ideal environment encouraging interactions between companies, scientists and decision makers in order to develop potential synergies between the protection of the marine environment and social-economic development.

Mr Peter Mathieson, Director and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, welcomed H.S.H. Prince Albert at the National Museum of Scotland. H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier and Mr Robert Calcagno then gave presentation about Monaco Blue Initiative. His Highness also attended the reward ceremony of the Rolex “Our World Underwater Scholarship Society” which was followed by a presentation given by two students who won the competition.

The next day, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended Edinburgh University’s Old College where He was welcomed by Mr Alexander Thudope, Director of the Geoscience department. His Highness gave a speech where He highlighted the urgent action that needs to be taken in order to avoid irreversible tragedies in the world’s oceans caused by plastic pollution and climate change. H.S.H. Prince Albert added that the world’s oceans were in deep trouble caused by the 400 and 500 so-called “dead zones” that have been identifies as areas that do not have enough oxygen to support marine life. This situation is caused by an increase in chemical nutrients, leading to excessive blooms of algae that deplete underwater oxygen levels. His Highness also declared that if unchecked, it is estimated that by 2050, the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans will outweigh the fish population.

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H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco with Canada’s Minister for Fishing, the Oceans and Coastal Guards, Mr Dominic Leblanc.

The conference’s first session was titled ‘Blue development in the changing North Seas: creating synergies’. The panellists participating in the debate were all experts in the marine and environmental fields. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco then gave an interview to BBC Scotland. Mr Peter Thomson, special correspondent of the United Nations for the Oceans and Mr Dominic Leblanc, Canada’s Minister for Fishing, the Oceans and coastal guards also shared their knowledge on the blue economy. The conference then continued with a second session called ‘Protected marine areas and Climate change’, moderated by Mr Sebastian Troeng, First Vice-President of the charity Conservation International. 

The conference’s closing address was given by H.R.H The Princess Royal who is the Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. H.S.H. Prince Albert then attended a private luncheon with H.R.H. The Princess Royal. That evening H.E. Mrs Evelyne Genta and Mr Robert Calcagno joined H.R.H. The Princess Royal for a dinner at Holyrood Palace. She shared with them her admiration for H.S.H. Prince Albert and His Foundation’s dedication and engagement for the environment. H.R.H. The Princess Royal mentioned her wish to continue the partnership between the Prince Albert II Foundation and the University of Edinburgh.

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H.R.H The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.