Eight ways Prince Albert II put Monaco on the world stage in 2025
Prince Albert II during the third edition of UNOC3 in Nice. Frédéric Nebinger / Prince's Palace
From the UN to COP30 and the Osaka World Expo, Monaco’s Sovereign has made numerous speeches on the international stage, positioning the Principality as a key voice for multilateralism and environmental protection.
1. “This treasure is in danger”: Prince Albert II’s warning
On 7 and 8 June, Monaco hosted the Blue Economy and Finance Forum at the Grimaldi Forum, bringing together 1,800 participants from nearly 100 countries. The event raised €8.7 billion in financial commitments for the blue economy. On 9 June, at the opening of the third United Nations Conference on Oceans in Nice, Prince Albert II issued a solemn warning: “This treasure is in danger. Since Lisbon in 2022, climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution have worsened dramatically.”
- Monaco was the first European country to ratify the BBNJ agreement on biodiversity in the high seas and reaffirmed its goal of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030 through a connected network of Marine Protected Areas.
2. Monaco, the world capital of sport in 2025
On 18 February, during an official ceremony at the Prince’s Palace, Prince Albert II signed the World Capitals of Sport commemorative plaque, formalising the title awarded to the Principality for the year 2025. The Sovereign reiterated his vision of sport that is “ethical, sustainable, open and committed”.
- Monaco has placed disabled sports at the heart of this symbolic year, continuing to roll out its Handipact policy to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in sports.
3. 150 Grimaldi historical sites celebrated
On 10 October, Prince Albert II gathered elected representatives from nearly 150 French and Italian local authorities that are members of the Grimaldi Historic Sites network at the Monaco Yacht Club to celebrate its tenth anniversary. This event demonstrated the Sovereign’s commitment to heritage and Monaco’s roots in European history.
- Prince Albert II launched a label for producers and artisans from the former Grimaldi fiefdoms, promoting the expertise and terroirs linked to the dynasty’s history, as well as a promotional film shown in the tourist offices of member municipalities.
4. COP30: Monaco raises its voice and doubles down
On 6 and 7 November, the Sovereign travelled to Brazil for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Addressing the heads of state gathered in Belém, he defended scientific rigour against ideological excesses, calling for “science to be chosen over ideology”.
- Monaco will double its international contribution to climate action in developing countries by 2028 and has set itself a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 67.6% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.
5. Multilateralism and recognition of Palestine at the UN
On 22 September, Monaco officially recognised the State of Palestine at a conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, calling for a two-state solution. On 24 September, Prince Albert II delivered a speech calling for a reinvention of multilateralism, strongly condemning “the war of aggression against Ukraine” and calling for a just and negotiated peace agreement.
- In December, Monaco signed the Convention on Ukrainian Claims and is maintaining its annual contribution of €135,000 to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees, translating its advocacy for multilateralism into action.
6. Prince Albert II at the 2025 Jubilee in Rome
On 2 December, Prince Albert II visited St Peter’s Basilica in Rome to pass through the Holy Door, opened on 24 December 2024 by Pope Francis as part of the 2025 Jubilee. This spiritual journey is part of the Catholic tradition of jubilee years, celebrated every twenty-five years under the auspices of the papacy.
- By passing through the Holy Door a few weeks before its closure, Prince Albert II reaffirmed the Principality’s historic attachment to the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV and the Holy See, a centuries-old bond enshrined in the Monegasque Constitution, which recognises Catholicism as the state religion.
7. 150 years of diplomatic relations with Italy
The year marked the 150th anniversary of Monaco’s diplomatic representation in Italy. On 7 February, Prince Albert II received Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Italian Council of Ministers, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. On 19 November, during the National Day celebrations, a delegation of 33 musicians from the Fanfare of the 3rd Carabinieri Regiment of Lombardy took part in the celebrations, creating a unique musical bridge between the two nations.
- Monaco has been granted observer status within the Franco-Italian Border Cooperation Commission, strengthening its ability to influence cross-border issues relating to mobility, the environment and economic relations.
8. The Monegasque pavilion shines in Osaka
On 28 June, Prince Albert II and Princess Stephanie visited the Osaka World Expo for Monaco National Day. The ‘Take Care of Wonder’ pavilion attracted more than 7% of visitors to the event, exceeding the Principality’s initial targets.
- Monaco presented its actions to protect the oceans to the 28 million visitors expected to attend, notably the work carried out by the Monaco Scientific Centre on king penguins, whose survival rate decreases by 10% every time the sea temperature rises by 0.3°C. A powerful symbol of the climate emergency.