Photo Credits: Michaël ALESİ / Palais princier
In a series of bilateral engagements at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Prince Albert II of Monaco advanced discussions on environmental protection and social justice, underscoring Monaco's commitment to global partnerships.
The meetings, which took place yesterday, began with an informal exchange between the Sovereign and Sonia Guajajara, Brazil's Minister of Indigenous Peoples. Accompanied by her chief of staff, Francisco Plippo, Ms. Guajajara met with the Prince in a session that echoed the ongoing work of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in Latin America. The foundation recently established a new branch in São Paulo to expand its regional efforts.
Central to their dialogue was the foundation's "Forests and Communities" initiative, which aims to safeguard tropical forest ecosystems through the active involvement of indigenous peoples. This approach highlights the critical role of local communities in conservation strategies, aligning with broader international goals for biodiversity preservation.
Following the Brazil meeting, Prince Albert proceeded to Monaco's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. There, in the presence of Isabelle Picco, Monaco's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the U.N., and Alyson Calem-Sangiorgio, the mission's second secretary, the Prince convened with Asmita Satyarthi.
Photo Credits: Michaël ALESİ / Palais princier
Ms. Satyarthi, executive director of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, represented Kailash Satyarthi, the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate, who was unable to attend. She outlined the movement's focus on youth empowerment, emphasizing its "Compassion Leadership Academy." Through education, the academy equips young people to emerge as leaders in combating daily social injustices and cultivating a "compassion quotient" — a measure of empathetic decision-making.
Ms. Satyarthi expressed admiration for Prince Albert's leadership, particularly in environmental stewardship and children's rights advocacy. Drawing inspiration from these efforts, the Satyarthi Movement seeks to establish Monaco as a partner in its global compassion initiatives.
These encounters reflect Monaco's strategic engagement at the U.N., fostering collaborations that bridge environmental, indigenous, and humanitarian priorities. As global challenges like climate change and inequality intensify, such dialogues underscore the value of principled alliances in driving meaningful progress.