Visit of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco in Washington

During a visit to the United States, on November 30th and December 1st, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in Washington D.C. In His address at the opening ceremony of the “Antarctic Treaty Summit”, held at the Smithsonian Institution, the Sovereign Prince notably pointed out the exemplary nature of the Antarctic Treaty as a management instrument for a particularly sensitive area, for the sole benefit of science; and stressed the essential role that the scientific community had to play in order to preserve the world environment, as an “independent and respected global moral force”.

Later in the morning, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution, aiming for collaboration within the common fields of both bodies and sharing knowledge in order to develop their mutual expertise.

In the afternoon of November 30th, the Sovereign Prince gave a speech at the National Press Club. Recalling that his great-great-grandfather had spoken before this assembly ninety-six years ago, the Sovereign focused on the key role that the press had to play in raising awareness of environmental issues and circulating scientific knowledge. The Sovereign then answered questions put forward by the press. On that occasion, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation signed another Memorandum of Understanding with the PEW Environment Group. This collaboration was claimed to result in new mutually supported projects.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco paid also a visit at the National Geographic Society headquarters, where He was welcomed by the president of the society, John Fahey, and his team. On this occasion, a working session was held which enabled the basis for a future collaboration between the Fondation and the National Geographic to be defined.

By late afternoon H.S.H. Prince Albert was presiding at the residence of the ambassador of Monaco in the United States a reception organized with BirdLife International, a partner of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. On this occasion, the Prince held talks with many key figures in attendance, including Ms Jane Lubchenco, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Administrator of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

Lastly, in the evening, the Sovereign Prince attended a fundraising event organized by the US branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.



About the Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian is a trust instrumentality of the United States whose mission is the development and diffusion of knowledge.  The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through research, collections, exhibitions and educational outreach programs.  In particular, The Smithsonian, through the National Museum of Natural History, is interested in research and education about biodiversity, conservation, climate change including renewable energies, and cultural diversity.
To learn more: www.si.edu


About the PEW
The Pew is an independent public Charity, which is driven by the power of knowledge to solve the problems that are facing our contemporaries’ societies. The Pew Environment Group (PEG), the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, is focused on three major environmental problems: the pollution of the world’s oceans, the loss of large wilderness ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s biodiversity, and climate change. 
To learn more: www.pewtrusts.org

About BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organizations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
BirdLife and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 26th 2009 and are already partners on three projects: The conservation of protected albatross and petrel species in the Indian Ocean, The conservation of birds of prey in the Mediterranean region: the bearded vulture and the Bonelli’s eagle, and a project set up by the Tour du Valat entitled “A biodiversity index for the Mediterranean wetlands”.
To learn more: www.birdlife.org