Speaking at the close of the first day of the ChangeNOW 2026 Summit in Paris, Prince Albert delivered a message that fused scientific reality with economic momentum, describing a transition that is moving from the hypothetical to the realized. For those still waiting for political consensus or institutional permission, the Sovereign of Monaco had a blunt, urgent directive: “Do not wait for permission. Do not wait for consensus. Build it. Fund it. Scale it.”
His message was not abstract. Earlier in the day, Prince Albert toured the exhibition halls alongside M. Santiago Lefebvre and Mrs. Rose-Mary Lucotte, the forum's two founders. There, he met with entrepreneurs presenting tangible, market-ready responses across a spectrum of crucial sectors, ranging from energy and materials to food systems and waste. What stood out was not ambition alone, but the maturity of the initiatives on display: solutions grounded in science, engineering, and real-world execution.
For the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, this shift represents the new frontline of environmental stewardship. The challenge now lies in helping to create the conditions necessary for these credible solutions to gain traction, attract the crucial support they require, and scale their impact effectively - particularly in areas such as the ocean, where the need remains immense.
As he concluded his address, Prince Albert rejected the notion of delaying action. His final words to the Summit served as both a stark warning and a call to action: “The planet is keeping score, and there is no extra time.”
Photo credits: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier