Cover His Serene Highness Prince Albert II at the Ball in Monaco 2022: Ocean Edition
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II at the Ball in Monaco 2022: Ocean Edition
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Jacky Deromedi, president of the Asian branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, shares some of its recent initiatives, including the upcoming Ball in Monaco 2024: Glacier Edition to held on November 27, at Marina Bay Sands
Monaco has set ambitious goals to halve its carbon emissions and eliminate single-use plastics by 2030—and a vision to become carbon neutral by 2050.
“It’s a challenge that all Monegasque institutions are working hard to meet, and one that the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is supporting by carrying out complementary actions within its areas of expertise,” says Jacky Deromedi, the president of the Foundation’s Asian branch.
Although the Foundation mainly focuses its missions on an international scale, its initiatives in the Mediterranean basin echo the strategies of the Government and its mission to safeguard national biodiversity. “We are particularly active on the issue of plastic pollution, the development of marine protected areas, the conservation of emblematic species, and on studying the effects of ocean changes,” Deromedi shares.
When it comes to addressing the plastic issue, she highlights the BeMed, or Beyond Plastic Med, initiative which is “aimed at reducing the use of plastic, both by working on best practices to eliminate plastic from companies’ value chains and by encouraging eco-responsible actions to reduce single-use plastic in our daily lives”. The Foundation takes a holistic approach to its awareness campaigns, organising events including scientific conferences, film and documentary screenings, and photographic exhibitions, to educate on environmental issues and inspire positive change.
In case you missed it: Prince Albert II Of Monaco On Saving The Oceans
Above Jacky Deromedi, the president of the Asian branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Jacky Deromedi, the president of the Asian branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
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Since it was founded in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has been at the forefront of environmental protection. “And we have known how to evolve to respond more effectively to the environmental challenges,” says Deromedi. “As a result, we have contributed to nearly 800 projects around the world that [seek] to progress planetary health. And in addition to funding projects run by [our] partners, we have developed our own initiatives.”
Some important successes include species conservation, such as the Amur tiger, Mediterranean monk seal, and bluefin tuna, and protection of marine areas such as the Ross Sea in Antarctica. “We have also been able to help bring the ocean to the heart of international negotiations, gaining recognition for its essential role in the global climate system,” Deromedi expounds.
She highlights the first international treaty on the preservation of the high seas adopted by consensus by the United Nations (UN) member states in 2023. “Finally, after more than a decade of mobilisation and advocacy, I would like to mention the [signing] of the Treaty of the High Seas, for which HSH [His Serene Highness] Prince Albert II has been committed [to] for a long time with the support of the Government and Foundation.”
Above Prince Albert II (pictured centre) visiting the Marine station at the University of Plymouth in the UK (Photo: Palais Princier)
Prince Albert II (pictured centre) visiting the Marine station at the University of Plymouth in the UK (Photo: Palais Princier)
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More than just government-to-government collaborations, achieving sustainability targets require partnerships between the public and private sectors. “To respond effectively to the climate emergency we must mobilise all stakeholders. There is currently an abundance of innovative ideas driven by promising companies that are taking on environmental issues and developing interesting solutions. We need to support their growth, and orient investment towards companies with positive impacts,” says Deromedi.
In 2020, the Foundation launched the Ocean Innovators Platform to bring together committed entrepreneurs with philanthropists and investors. “By gathering them around the same table, synergies are created that accelerate the development of sustainable solutions,” she says. The upcoming session takes place in Singapore on November 27, at Marina Bay Sands.
On the same day, Prince Albert II will grace the 2024 Ball in Monaco: Glacier Edition held at the Grand Ballroom of Marina Bay Sands. This biennial gala is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for critical global issues.
Read more: Ball in Monaco Singapore 2022 Raises Over SG$2 Million for Ocean Conservation
Above Prince Albert II at the Ball in Monaco 2022: Ocean Edition
Prince Albert II at the Ball in Monaco 2022: Ocean Edition
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“The Glaciers” theme this year aligns with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of the decade from 2025 to 2034 as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences”. This initiative emphasises the urgent need to understand and address the challenges facing our planet’s ice masses, which are vital indicators of climate change and global health.
Beyond its philanthropic mission, the Foundation, together with wealth manager Monaco Asset Management, launched the ReOcean Fund in 2023 dedicated to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Underwater to invest in companies working to reduce sources of plastic pollution, change the way we produce blue food and our modes of maritime transport, protect marine ecosystems, and share robust and transparent ocean data.
On its part, the Singapore office of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation—one of the 11 branches around the world—collaborated with the Temasek Foundation and Science Centre Singapore in 2023, as part of their Young Sustainability Champion programme, which aims to raise young people’s awareness of the challenges of climate change. Deromedi explains, “By showing the young that they can be actors of change, we are not only strengthening their environmental awareness but also their confidence in their abilities.”
Above Prince Albert II (pictured centre) with the 2024 cohort of the Re.Generation Future Leaders programme (Photo: Axel Bastello for Palais Princier)
Prince Albert II (pictured centre) with the 2024 cohort of the Re.Generation Future Leaders programme (Photo: Axel Bastello for Palais Princier)
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The younger generation is seen as a driving force for change—and this is the mission of the Foundation’s Re.Generation Future Leaders programme, which was launched in 2023. Each year, a cohort of ten young talents under the age of 35, from various backgrounds, are selected to take part in a two‑week campus in the Principality. They will be equipped with the tools and support they need to thrive, from leadership and communication skills development to masterclasses with renowned experts, as well as networking and collaboration opportunities.
Monaco’s efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable development could be a model for other cities and nations. “Monaco demonstrates that it is possible to pursue a proactive policy of energy transition and sustainable development while maintaining its economic dynamism and developing its attractivity [as a tourism destination],” says Deromedi. “I hope that we can contribute in our own humble way to inspire change, showing that such a transition is a source of success, opportunity, growth and well-being, when it is carried out in a positive and concerted way.”
In case you missed it: How Monaco is transforming from a playground for the super-rich to a destination for sustainability
As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
