On Monday, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II used the global stage of the United Nations Headquarters in New York to announce that the Principality now formally recognises the State of Palestine…
Speaking during the High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestine Question, held on the margins of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Sovereign said Monaco wished to reaffirm its “unwavering support” for Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised borders while also recognising “the right of the Palestinian people to have a sovereign, viable and democratic state.”
With that statement, Monaco joined more than 145 other nations worldwide that have extended recognition to Palestine. Prince Albert II’s remarks, delivered to a packed conference hall, drew sustained applause from delegates and humanitarian organisations present for what was seen as a significant symbolic step from one of the UN’s smallest but most visible member states.
Prince Albert II stressed that any lasting solution must be “balanced and sustainable” and predicated on the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. He reiterated Monaco’s long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution “based on the existence of two national entities.”
The prince arrived in New York at the start of the week for a series of high-level meetings marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. He is expected to address the General Assembly during the main debate on Wednesday.
Monday’s declaration places Monaco firmly alongside international efforts to revive a viable peace process and underscores the Principality’s tradition of leveraging its diplomatic voice to support consensus and humanitarian principles on the world stage.
