27 October 2022

Princely visit

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco exploring Aldabra Atoll

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco visited the Seychelles from 24 to 26 October 2022 for an official visit and an expedition to the Aldabra Atoll, one of the world’s most extraordinary marine and underwater sanctuaries and one of the 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Stéphane DUGAST's story
Aldabra is a natural gem but its ecosystem is fragile and threatened with marine debris on its beaches and a coral reef that suffers from repeated bleaching episodes due to climate change.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Aldabra. 25 October 2022
S.A.S. le Prince Albert II de Monaco. 24 octobre 2022. Mission océan Indien©Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
This visit by Prince Albert II of Monaco is important for us. It lays the foundations for a promising scientific collaboration, but it also sends a strong signal to the rest of the world. That of two countries focused on the ocean and its protection.
Flavien P. Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of Seychelles
Monsieur Falvien P. Joubert, Ministre de l'agriculture, du changement climatique et de l'environnement des Seychelles©Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations

The two days in pictures

After a day devoted to exploring the island and discussing joint actions to be implemented with the Seychelles Islands Foundation and the Seychelles Government, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco went on board the S.A. Agulhas II where he spent the night of 25 to 26 October. On the menu: visit of the installations and laboratories, meeting with the crew and the various scientific teams and participants in the mission, presentation of the scientific and artistic projects linked to the expedition. A dense programme, at the end of which the Sovereign reached Mahé, via Assomption Island, at the end of the morning of 26 October, to meet the President of the Seychelles Republic.
Signing of the letter of intent between the SIF, the CSM and the Oceanographic Institute. Top from left to right: Jean-François Ferrari, Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy in the Seychelles, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and the Environment. Bottom left to right: Didier Zoccola, Senior Researcher at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM), Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley, CEO, Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF) and Robert Calcagno, Managing Director of Monaco Explorations and Director General of the Oceanographic Institute, Foundation Albert I, Prince of Monaco©Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. On his right, Knowledge Bengu, Captain of the S.A. Agulhas II and on his left, Gilles Bessero, Head of Expedition. 25_10_2022©Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
Indian Ocean Expedition; Group photo with Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley and the Seychelles student members of the on-board school_ _26_10_2022_@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations .jpg
Indian Ocean Expedition. Signature on the BGC Argo float presented to the Seychelles government by the Principality of Monaco and decorated by the artist Rémi Leroy. In the background on the right, Hervé Claustre, Head of the BGC Argo project. 26_10_2022@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
Indian Ocean Expedition. H.S.H. Albert II of Monaco visits the laboratories. 26_10_2022_@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
Indian Ocean Expedition. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco on the bridge with Captain Knowledge Bengu _26_10_2022@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
Indian Ocean Expedition. Discussion about the Coral Conservatory and the coral tanks collected on Aldabra with Didier Zoccola, Monaco Scientific Centre and Maureen Midol, Océanopolis. 26_10_2022@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
On the helicopter deck, H.S.H. Prince Albert II surrounded by the crew of the S.A. Agulhas II and the participants of the expedition. 26_10_2022©Filip Kulisev_MonacoExplorations.jpg
Around the Prince, the FIS staff with the Seychelles and Monegasque delegations. Aldabra. 24_10_2022©Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_MonacoExplorations
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Mahé: official reception at the State House

At the end of this field visit to Aldabra atoll, Prince Albert II of Monaco was received by the President of the Republic of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan on Wednesday 26th October in Mahé, at the State House, in the presence of government ministers. This was an opportunity for the Monegasque Sovereign to discuss his recent expedition to Aldabra as well as the Indian Ocean expedition conducted in the region by Monaco Exploration, with another highlight to come in the second phase of this exploration after Aldabra: the study of the Saya de Malha bank.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles. Mahé. 26_10_2022_@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_Monaco Explorations
Bilateral exchange between the Monegasque and Seychellois delegations. Mahé. Seychelles. 26_10_2022@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_Monaco Explorations
Official speech by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco at the State House. Mahé. Seychelles.26_10_2022@Nicolas Mathys_Zeppelin_Monaco Explorations
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