Monaco has officially launched a major scientific mission to Greenland, combining climate research with environmental advocacy as the Principality reinforces its commitment to protecting the world’s polar regions.
The “Advocacy & Science Expedition to Greenland”, organised by the Institut océanographique de Monaco, departed on Wednesday, July under the patronage of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, who are leading the initiative.
En route to Greenland, the delegation paused off the western coast of Iceland to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the loss of the Pourquoi-Pas?, the research vessel commanded by renowned French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. The ship sank in September 1936 following a violent storm, claiming the lives of almost all those on board.
The commemorative event brought together Prince Albert II, Princess Charlène, former Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Anne Manipoud-Charcot, the explorer’s great-granddaughter. The ceremony honoured Charcot’s contribution to polar exploration while underlining the importance of international scientific collaboration in addressing today’s environmental challenges.
The occasion also highlighted the close historical ties between Captain Charcot and Prince Albert I of Monaco, both regarded as pioneers in the fields of oceanography and polar research. Correspondence between the two men, preserved by Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute, stands as a testament to their shared dedication to scientific discovery.
The Greenland expedition will focus on advancing scientific knowledge of the rapidly changing Arctic environment while raising awareness of the urgent need to safeguard the oceans and polar ecosystems for future generations.
