On Monday, December 7, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco witnessed the partnership launch between the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and the Monaco-based association, Eco Explorers Society (EES).

The purpose of the EES, established by Mr. Gildo Pallanca Pastor, Dr. Bertrand Piccard and Mr. Raphaël Domjanis, is to implement innovative sustainable development projects in exploration of air, land, and water. The overall goal is to preserve the goods and services produced by the sustainable management of these ecosystems and the creation of economic wealth for the people inhabiting these spaces.

As pioneers in eco-adventure the trio have each launched some of the most innovative and important projects in recent history in regards to clean and sustainable mobility. Mr. Pastor has successfully engineered the world’s fastest fuel cell and electric vehicles with his renowned VBB program, Venturi. Dr. Piccard is the initiator and Pilot of Solar Impulse aiming at accomplishing the first solar flight around the world to promote the use of clean technologies. Mr. Domjan is the founder and expedition leader of Planet Solar, the first around the world powered by solar energy, it was with a boat.

These three prototypes made for extreme conditions are helping to develop new technologies in sustainable energy use including capture, transformation, efficient consumption management and storage.

The real world testing of these projects develops the most efficient systems to face the most demanding of applications. All three eco-adventurers have run a part of their projects in the Principality of Monaco with the support of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco.

These four major players in the field of sustainable development and mobility join forces to create the Eco Explorers Society in order to continue to discover and develop efficient and multifaceted solutions in engineering systems within the realm of sustainable mobility.

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Receives the Médaille de Commandeur du Mérite Maritime.

December 8, 2015 Alexandra

On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 8, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was presented with the Médaille de Commandeur du Mérite Maritime from the President of France, Mr. François Hollande, during a private ceremony held at the Palais de L’Elysée in Paris, France.

The sovereign prince received the award for his passion for and dedication to protecting the marine environment around the world.

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Views a Unique Installation Exhibition in Paris.

December 8, 2015 Alexandra

On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover arrived at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, France, to view the unique installation exhibition entitled, EXIT.

The exhibition, organized and presented by the Fondation Cartier pour l’art Contemporain, is based on a prompt set out by French philosopher and urbanist, Mr. Paul Virilio, whose experimental work was created by American artists and architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with architect-artist, Ms. Laura Kurgan, and statistician-artist, Mr. Mark Hansen, with a core team of scientists and geographers for the exhibition Native Land, Stop Eject in 2008, and is now part of the Fondation Cartier collection.

EXIT is composed of a series of immersive animated maps generated by data that investigate human migrations today and their leading causes, including the impacts of climate change. Its complete 2015 update has been planned to coincide with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21).

Conceived as an artwork, EXIT uses geo-coded data that was collected from over 100 sources, processed through a programming language and interpreted visually. The work is a reflection on the notions of being rooted and uprooted, as well as related questions of identity, Native Land addressed issues that have continued to intensify. The current refugee crisis makes the 2015 presentation of EXIT more timely and relevant than ever.

EXIT will be open to the public until January 10, 2016, at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

Belgian Royals

(VIDEO) TMs King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium Host a Reception in Brussels.

December 8, 2015 Alexandra

On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium hosted a reception at the Palais Royal in Brussels for newly appointed suppliers holding the Fournisseurs Brevetes de la Cour (royal warrant of appointment).

Click here to watch a video.

Photo courtesy of the Belgian royal court

Dutch Royal Family

HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Visits the Alexander Monro Borstkankerziekenhuis.

December 8, 2015 Alexandra

On the morning of December 8, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visited the Alexander Monro Borstkankerziekenhuis (Breast Cancer Clinic/Hospital) in Bilthoven.

Known as the first specialized breast cancer clinic in the Netherlands and the number one clinic in patient satisfaction the Alexander Monro Borstkankerziekenhuis provides all care which is concentrated in one organization, including diagnosis, operations including reconstructions, chemotherapy, after-treatment and psychosocial support, physiotherapy and genetic counseling.

This holistic approach is targeting patients’ personal needs next to a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. Twice a day the patient conditions are discussed by medical experts: radiology, plastic surgery, oncology, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and pathology and on demand anesthesiology, genetic counseling and physiotherapy. The mission of the clinic is to provide state-of-the-art personal breast cancer care with a focus on the patient and to set a new and remarkable higher level of quality in breast healthcare.

Please click here and here to view photos.

Photos courtesy of Alexander Monro Borstkankerziekenhuis /R. van Lonkhuijsen

Dutch Royal Family

(VIDEOS) HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Opens a Building in Rotterdam.

December 8, 2015 Alexandra

On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 8, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands officially opened the new Schmidt Zeevis (seafood) building in Rotterdam.

Established in 1900 Schmidt Zeevis provides fish to Michelin star awarded restaurants as well as some of the finest hotels in the Netherlands. The company also exports roughly 133 varieties of fresh fish throughout Europe.

Please click here and here to watch videos as well as to view photos.

Royal House of Jordan

(VIDEOS) TMs King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan Welcome the President of Germany to Amman.

December 7, 2015 Alexandra

On Monday, December 7, 2015, Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan welcomed the President of Germany, Mr. Joachim Gauck, and his partner, Ms. Daniela Schadt, to Al-Husseiniya Palace in Amman, Jordan.

The purpose of President Gauck and his delegation’s two-day official visit is to pay tribute to Jordanian society’s achievement in finding shelter for hundreds of thousands of refugees; furthermore, to continue to strengthen economic and bilateral ties between Jordan and Germany.

After the official welcoming ceremony and the reviewing of the Jordanian military guards His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Gauck participated in a meeting inside the palace. Discussions focused on the Syrian crisis, education, vocational training and water, as Germany is one of the countries that provide technical assistance to Jordan in the field of water resources management and conservation.