The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Impactful Participation in New York Climate Week 2024

New York Climate Week 2024 saw the active participation of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. From sustainable fashion to forest conservation, and the Arctic to ocean innovation, the Foundation convened thought leaders, activists, and policymakers to address some of the most pressing climate challenges of our time.

Tides of Change: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Solutions to Shift the Fashion Industry

On September 23, the Foundation kicked off its Climate Week activities with Tides of Change: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Solutions to Shift the Fashion Industry, hosted at the School of Art at Pratt Institute. The event, featuring leaders like Runa Ray of Fashioning for Social Environmental Justice, Nicole Rycroft of Canopy Planet, and Dr. Mary McBride from Pratt, spotlighted the future of fashion in a world facing environmental challenges.

The discussion emphasized how sustainable solutions, from innovative designs to ethical materials, can transform the fashion industry, which has significant impacts on the planet’s climate, oceans, and forests. The event, attended by a passionate student body and key figures in sustainable fashion, highlighted that the future of fashion is both creative and conscious.

Beyond the Ice: The Worldwide Impacts of Arctic Extremes

On the same day, the Foundation’s Polar Initiative presented Beyond the Ice: The Worldwide Impacts of Arctic Extremes at The Explorers Club. Experts, including Dr. John P. Holdren and Dr. Sue Natali, discussed the rapid warming of the Arctic and its critical role in regulating the global climate.

Moderated by Allison Agsten, the panel highlighted the urgency of integrating Arctic science into global climate policy and emphasized the voices of Indigenous communities and local leaders who are most affected by these changes. A captivating fireside chat, moderated by Jennifer Spence, featured Aaja Chemnitz and Bertrand Piccard, sharing personal stories about the evolving Arctic landscape and underscoring the need for global cooperation to address the crisis in the region.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco echoed this sentiment, calling for “international, even global, cooperation” to tackle the unique climate challenges facing the Arctic.

MIT Solve

The Foundation's dedication to ocean conservation was further demonstrated at the MIT Solve event during Climate Week. Olivier Wenden, CEO of the Foundation, awarded the prestigious Prince Albert II of Monaco Ocean Innovation Prize to SXD and Symbrosia. These innovative startups are leading the charge in advancing ocean sustainability, a critical component of the Foundation's mission to protect marine ecosystems.

UN General Assembly
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco addressed the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

This annual gathering of the 193 member states of the United Nations focused this year on the theme: "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations”.

The Sovereign stated that "Of course, we must be clear-sighted in view of the extent of the tasks to be accomplished, but this must not prevent us from being optimistic and having faith in the future. Indeed, we now have several major international instruments that should serve as a compass in the storm: the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ Agreement and soon, I hope, a new international agreement to combat plastic pollution around the world".

Ocean Innovators Platform
The Ocean Innovators Platform hosted a successful 7th session on Tuesday, September 24th gathering its community at the prestigious Harvard Club for an evening of thought-provoking discussions.

Two round tables gathered thought leaders to share their insights on transformative changes and innovative strategies that drives a sustainable blue economy. The first high-level panel aimed to “Pave the way for the regenerative blue economy” with insights from HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud and was the occasion to explore the vital intersections of ocean, climate, and business, mapping a visionary future for ocean-based industries.

The second one gathered successful changemakers, as Daniela Fernandez - Sustainable Ocean alliance, Geoff Chapin - Carbon Wave, Steven Henderson - Fleetzero, and Svanika Balasubramanian - rePurpose global, shedding a light on groundbreaking innovative companies revolutionizing the blue economy and on investment opportunities offered by the ocean space.

Voices of the Forest: Indigenous Advocacy and Conservation
Closing the week, the Foundation hosted Voices of the Forest: From Indigenous Advocacy to Conservation Action at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the UN.

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Olivier Wenden, CEO of the Foundation and Gab Mejia, fellow of the 2024 RE.GENERATION cohort and National Geographic Explorer, followed by powerful fireside chats featuring Sonia Guajajara, Brazilian Minister of Indigenous Peoples and TIME100 Honoree, Nemonte Nenquimo, Waorani leader and TIME100 Honoree, and Mitch Anderson, founders of Amazon Frontlines and co-authors of the book "We Will Be Jaguars". Their insights into the challenges and triumphs of Indigenous-led conservation efforts were truly inspiring.

The panel, moderated by Andrew Heinrich, brought together Hugo Jabini, Saramaka Maroon leader, Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, global Indigenous rights advocate, and Nemonte Nenquimo. Together, they explored how Indigenous leadership can reshape forest conservation.

As Climate Week 2024 concluded, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing planetary health through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy. The events not only highlighted pressing global challenges but also showcased the potential for positive change when diverse stakeholders unite in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. The Foundation remains dedicated to fostering impactful discussions and initiatives that will lead to a more sustainable future for all.

As we move forward, the conversations sparked during this pivotal week remind us of our shared responsibility to protect our planet and ensure a livable world for future generations.

©Ian Hardy / FPA2