Monaco’s year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary of UNESCO membership continued with the recent inauguration of a photography exhibition…
Hosted at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Thursday, October 3, the exhibition featured the work of the winners of the 4th Environmental Photography Prize of the Prince Albert II Foundation. This event shone a spotlight on Monaco’s historical commitment to science, particularly in oceanography, a legacy that dates back to Prince Albert I.
The exhibition, held in the Segur Hall of the UNESCO House until Monday, October 14, emphasises Monaco’s dedication to fostering a balanced relationship between humanity and nature. The showcased images aim to raise awareness and evoke strong emotions, capturing the impacts of human activities on ecosystems in a way that data and reports often cannot. This year’s competition received over 11,000 submissions from 2,600 photographers across 134 countries, competing in five categories: “Marine Worlds,” “Heart of the Forest,” “Polar Wonders,” “Humanity versus Nature,” and “Agents of Change, Bearers of Hope.”
In her opening speech, H.E. Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Monaco’s Ambassador to UNESCO, highlighted the Principality’s long-standing contributions to scientific research and environmental protection, a commitment also echoed by the Prince Albert II Foundation’s ongoing collaborations with UNESCO, especially during the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
The event drew a large audience, including UNESCO dignitaries, diplomats, and young students from the Foundation of Monaco in Paris. This celebration will culminate in December 2024 with the publication of a commemorative book, capturing the shared journey of Monaco and UNESCO and reflecting the Principality’s dedication to universal values of peace, culture, education, and sustainable development.
Image: © Antoine Meyssonnier
