HSH PRINCE ALBERT II CELEBRATED SHARON STONE FOR HER HUMANITARIAN COMMITMENT.
A very special evening, probably the most important event of the year in the Principality of Monaco, because it is dedicated to the Planet, Oceans, Humanity and all this is really the priority that concerns everyone.
It was a privilege to be there to follow the arrival of so many important and famous guests, but above all it was the confirmation that only by working together can we act concretely, as HSH Prince Albert II continues to repeat , when he talks about climate change, biodiversity, water resources, pollution and humanitarian commitment.
The 5th Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health took place on Thursday 23 September at the Prince’s Palace, for the first time at the Sovereign’s home. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is the world’s leading Foundation for the protection of the environment, focusing its efforts on climate change, biodiversity, and water resources. This year the FPA2 is proud to join forces with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to both saving and inspiring young lives with educational and development initiatives.
Ms. Stone acknowledged her special bond by stating, “It is a joy and an honor to share this evening with my long-time dear friend and compatriot His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco. We have known each other our entire adult lives and once again our friendship deepens as we share this common goal. It is with great humility that I accept this honor to serve at His command.”
In her speech and in reference to the health of our world and ourselves during the pandemic, Ms. Stone stated, “One of the things that happens most directly during these times that we stay alone is that we understand the importance of being present. When you see what’s happening to our environment, we understand most predominately what being present in ourselves and in our world means.”
She reminded the Gala audience that walking past a plastic bottle in the street should instead be a simple thing to pick up and recycle. “You can change your individual behavior and your individual sense of responsibility and care” ending with, “I would like to ask all to consider doing this effort that you’ve made this evening a regular daily basis. When you go out, don’t be too proud to pick up the trash.”
HSH Prince Albert the II of Monaco addressed the Monte Carlo Gala audience with a reminder of the continuing theme of the Gala – the protection of our environment and the impact of climate change. “Our Lives have Changed, our society has changed, our future has changed,” declared the Sovereign. “…the world has grasped the dramatic scale of the climate challenge we are facing. …Because what unites us is not only the urgency…It is also a sense of responsibility.“We must refuse closing our eyes faced with situations that concern us all, whatever our circumstances and wherever we live…the deterioration of the ocean has devastating effects on the coastal population and on humanity as a whole…plastic pollution contaminates the food chain and contaminates each one of us. …that the disappearance of the most fragile ecosystems, such as the corals, will deprive us of essential resources in the future.” His gratitude to those in attendance came with the assurance of “we will do our utmost to be worthy of your confidence.”
Some celebrities at gala: Orlando Bloom, Alì Jay, Gaspard Ulliel, Lucas Bravo (Emily in Paris), Jon KortaJarena, Julian Lennon, Pom Klementieff, Melanie Laurent, Prado Fonseca, Isabeli Fontana, Cindy Kimberly, Frida Aasen, Sofia Resing.
Launched in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has become a leading NGO for the preservation and education of sustainable development on a global scale. For fifteen years, the Foundation has significantly contributed to almost 700 projects focused on three main areas – climate change, biodiversity and water.
Presided by HSH the Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health is organised by His Foundation and Mr. Milutin Gatsby, Global Fundraising Chairman, with the support of the Monaco Yacht Show, the Oceanographic Institute, the Yacht Club of Monaco, the Société des Bains de Mer and the Monaco Private Label.
Monte-Carlo Gala Honorees
2017: Leonardo DiCaprio (Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean)
2018: Orlando Bloom (Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean)
2019: Robert Redford (Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean)
2020: Sting (Monte Carlo Gala for Planetary Health)
2021: Sharon Stone (Lifetime Achievement Award)
