In a formal convergence of cultural preservation and athletic diplomacy, the Principality of Monaco utilized an international platform to elevate its home-grown martial art, Paijeda. The presentation took place during the Day of Sports and Wellness, an event organized by UNESCO on June 6, 2026, at the Émile-Anthoine stadium in Paris.
Monaco’s participation was facilitated by an invitation from its Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, which brought the Monaco Federation de Paijeda to the global stage. The event served as a high-profile international showcase for the discipline, illustrating the Principality’s targeted efforts toward innovation and dynamism within the sporting sector. Created locally in Monaco in 2020, Paijeda represents a modern evolution in the territory's athletic landscape.
Claude Pouget, the founder of the discipline and president of the Monegasque federation, led the delegation alongside four young practitioners. The cohort demonstrated the technical specificities of the martial art to the public, accompanied by Severine Dusaintpère, the Deputy Permanent Delegate of Monaco to UNESCO.
Beyond its athletic components, Paijeda is explicitly structured as an extension of Monegasque cultural identity. The discipline integrates the Monégasque language into its standard practice and visually incorporates Monaco’s traditional red and white colors directly into its training and competitive outfits.
According to state officials, the delegation's presence at the UNESCO-led event was designed to reaffirm Monaco's broader alignment with international mandates. The Principality emphasized its ongoing commitment to the foundational values promoted by UNESCO, reiterating its state conviction that sport serves as a powerful vector for peace, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
Photo Credits: Princely Government of Monaco Instagram