Address of HSH Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco at the UN General Assembly

Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary general,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me, first of all, to address my warmest congratulations to the President of this 62nd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. With this election, which honors your country and the Group of Eastern Europe, the members of this Assembly have unanimously recognized, Mr. President, your eminent competence and your perfect knowledge of the Organization. May you and the other members of the Bureau be assured of the active cooperation of my delegation.

Mr. President,
You have chosen the theme of climate change for this 62nd session of the General Debate. I would like to thank you for this initiative, which has been commended by all.
Today, I would like to share my observations on this issue with you as well as my personal commitment in service of this cause.
Very early on, I have learned to appreciate nature and take the necessary measures to protect it. From my very earliest years, I was taught to share and to give back, then I wanted to see and learn things for myself; and my responsibility today is to testify and to act.

This is the reason why, in June 2006, I decided to make my contribution as well as that of the Principality by creating a Foundation. The mission of the Prince Albert II Foundation is to identify priority and symbolic projects and to accelerate their implementation in order to reach concrete results throughout the world aimed at a sustainable and equitable management of natural resources.

The Foundation’s vision is based on three strategic principles.
The first is to act alongside Nations, international institutions, and opinion leaders in order to enhance consciousness and accelerate decisions for a sustainable development. I will personally commit to leading consciousness raising missions on the ground around the world. I will also stand with other Heads of States, like today, and take part in international negotiation meetings regarding the environment.

The second objective of my Foundation is to promote initiatives, activities, and corporate actions which combine innovation with environment protection. As of this year, the Foundation supports and finances about thirty projects. Through these actions, the Foundation wishes to testify that it is possible to have sustainable practices and behavior that are respectful of the environment, as well as compatible with economic, social and human development.

Lastly, its third objective is to create public understanding of environment challenges and the responsibilities of each individual to act to preserve the environment. I commit myself to devoting the time and energy necessary to the success of these actions.

All the programs adopted by the Foundation comply with the environmental policy of my country. Monaco has been for a long time active to protect marine environment and in favor of the development of scientific research in marine biology. The creation, one century ago, of the Oceanographic Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric anthropology by my great-great-grandfather Albert the 1st, and the more recent creation of an underwater reserve by my Father, Prince Rainier III, bear witness to this policy. RAMOGE Agreements for the control of marine pollution and ACCOBAMS, for the conservation of Cetacea, came to reinforce this international engagement. This vocation is part of the history of my country.

This year, I agreed to sponsor an ambitious international initiative launched by UNEP, “Plant for the Planet: the Billion Tree Campaign”, the objective of which is to provide for the planting of at least 1 billion trees throughout the world in 2007. Seven months after the launch of this operation, the objective was achieved. It is an extraordinary sign of hope, and I must commend the dynamism of this organization, whose actions within the UN are essential for the environment.

The time for action is today. We already know the future of humanity is at stake. This is a collective responsibility. To tackle this urgent matter, it is necessary to raise awareness, mobilize capacities and revolutionize our lifestyle. This is how we will forge a new relationship to nature. As Yves Coppens, a French scientist underlines: “for millennia, climate has dictated man’s behavior; today, it is man who dictates his behavior on nature”.

It is also necessary to commit ourselves to promoting a new ethic: that of the right of the protection of the environment. What a better place than this prestigious institution to lead the way forward. This new ethical dimension can only be achieved if built on the sincere commitment of each individual. This is why Bill Clinton in his recent book, calls for concrete mobilization, as he says it so well: “each one of us can give something. There is so much to do; it is never too late to start”.
It is thus imperative to transcend our own interests and to learn to develop a harmonious relationship between humankind and nature. Safeguarding our Planet is the challenge of the 21st century. This challenge requires courage, tenacity, commitment and generosity. Above all, let us act. Peter Frumhoff, one of the main contributors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report declared, following a large scale study (Union of Concerned Scientists): “that some changes are inevitable, but worst consequences can be avoided if we act quickly”.

The European Union has shown the way by committing to a 50% reduction of its greenhouse gases by 2050. Let us help developing countries by finding new financial resources, let’s quickly work on our modes of production and consumption.

To meet this challenge, we must work together to find solutions to existing problems. Individual announcements or actions will never solve this problem. This threat is global. As the climatologist, Edouard Bard, pointed out, “global warming concerns our entire ecosystem and the management of the consequences of this phenomenon can only be done at the global level”.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have long lived in a world fraught with threats, but for the first time, we are facing a planetary threat that puts humanity at stake. The evolution of human mindsets and behavior inevitably takes time and yet our Planet cannot wait. So, without further delay, we must adopt a culture of responsibility. We must meet this historic challenge so that we may preserve planet Earth for our children. Let us make the choice of hope based on humanistic values and let us not forget the power of courage when it is supported by will, the will of placing mankind at the heart of our priorities.

There are also ethical considerations which inspire the constant and resolute commitment of my country in the fight against terrorism. Violence can never be justified in any circumstances.

To consolidate its legal framework in compliance with international standards, and according to the recommendations of the FATF (Financial Task Force on Money Laundring), the Principality of Monaco took identical measures as those adopted by the EU directives to fight money laundering and terrorism. Without waiting for the new assessment of the Moneyval committee, my Government adopted laws and regulations on these issues. Monaco has been recognized for leading the way in this field. I will make sure to keep guaranteeing the reputation of the Principality as a safe State. In so doing, I reiterate my unfaltering determination to combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

For my country, sustainable development and the fight against poverty go hand in hand, together with innovative ways to growth that are more respectful of the resources of our planet which, while abundant, are not inexhaustible.

This is the reason why I asked my Government to increase by 25%, by the year 2008, the total amount of the voluntary contributions of the Principality to the Funds and Programs of the United Nations towards international cooperation. This significant increase of funding devoted to the Official Development Assistance is part of my commitment to reach the targeted 0,7% of its Gross National Product to Official Development Assistance. There is so much to accomplish in the fields of education, access to basic healthcare, the fight against pandemics and HIV/AIDS, human crises following natural disasters or conflicts and the fight against poverty.

I pay a particular attention to the multilateral and bilateral assistance programs of the Principality supplemented by the generous initiatives of charitable organizations in Monaco which are part of the tradition of my country.

Children welfare has been, for a long time, a priority commitment of the Principality. My Sister, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover, is actively involved with this issue through Amade mondiale (World Association of Children’s Friends). Next December, your General Assembly will hold a high level debate to evaluate the progress in the implementation of “a world fit for children” declaration and action plan which were adopted in 2002. Considerable progress has been achieved in five years, although there are many needs yet to fulfill.

Monaco has also joined the “United for Children against AIDS” campaign launched by UNICEF, UNAIDS and WHO. My Sister, H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, Special Representative of UNAIDS, committed herself wholeheartedly to harnessing the energies of the Principality and beyond, to advance in the fight against this plague.

The reform of the Security Council of the United Nations remains an important issue. I reiterate the support of my country for a process of increasing the membership of this Council. The chances of maintaining international peace and security will be greater with a more equitable representation of the international community in the Security Council.

I also express the wish that the creation of a new Department of Field Support working alongside the Department of peacekeeping operations will facilitate the actions of the U.N. personnels on the ground who work valiantly to safeguard peace and security.

Mr. Secretary General,
Allow me to congratulate you for these efforts.

Mr. President,
My country became a member of the United Nations fourteen years ago. Ever since, the Principality has increased its participation on the international scene.

I am delighted that this coming February, the 10th special session of the Governing Council of United Nations Environment Program and the Global Ministerial Environment Forum will be held in Monaco.
On this occasion, I will proudly receive the Ministers of Environment of our countries to discuss topics similar to those we tackle within the framework of this General Assembly and thus continue on the work launched here.
In so doing, my country will contribute once again its part to the core debates of our time and will reaffirm its will to be at the center of genuine issues.
Thank you.