On Friday, Prince Albert II and Princess Stephanie of Monaco, as well as Louis Ducruet, Marie Chevallier and Camille Gottlieb, visited Expo 2020 Dubai. Prince Albert officially opened the Monaco Pavilion. The Prince, Princess, Louis Ducruet, Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb then attended the official ceremony for Monaco Day.
Throughout the 182 days of Expo Dubai, each participating country has a dedicated day. (France had, for example, 2 October.) Monaco Day featured performances by winners of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and dancers from the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.
Monaco signs Bilateral Tax Treaty with United Arab Emirates
In the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy, and HE Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, signed a bilateral tax agreement aimed at eliminating double taxation of income tax and preventing evasion and tax fraud. The signing took place on 13 November 2021, Monaco’s National Day at Expo Dubai.
This 36th tax agreement with Monaco is the result of negotiations carried out with the objective of preserving the interests of the two States and promoting their economic relations.
Prince Albert II becomes Honorary Citizen of Noto, Sicily
On Friday, Prince Albert II had a very busy trip to Noto, Sicily where he was awarded a diploma declaring him an honorary citizen. The Prince was warmly welcomed to the region by Italian authorities and a large crowd of people. The Prince received the Grifoni d’Argento prize for the actions of his foundation and signed protocols on marine protected areas. He then inaugurated the Prince Jacques olfactory tactile museum. Prince Albert II then visited the cathedral of the diocese, which underwent major restoration after being damaged by an earthquake.
The Sovereign had lunch with well-known artist Marcello Lo Giudice, who is also a donor of the Prince Albert II Foundation. The Prince also visited the Vindicari nature reserve, which attracts a wide range of migrating birds, including flamingos, herons and storks in the autumn. The Prince then visited a Roman villa featuring exceptional mosaics before attending a concert in his honour on the square in front of the cathedral.
Prince Albert II attends Only Watch Auction: €28 Million raised for Muscular Dystrophy
Recently, Prince Albert II attended the Only Watch event in Geneva, a biennial charity auction of luxury timepieces made by the finest watchmakers for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The auction was initiated by Luc Pettavino, president of the Monegasque Association against muscular dystrophy.
A unique desk clock offered by Patek Philippe for the Only Watch 2021 charity auction, which was inspired by a clock created for James Ward Packard in 1923, surprised guests when it sold for a staggering 9 million euros (it was expected to sell for around €450,000). This year, fifty unique watches raised over 28.4 million euros.
Prince Albert II speaks at One Monte-Carlo about Preventing Money Laundering
Prince Albert II spoke at One Monte-Carlo for the opening of the Francophone Financial Intelligence forum, in the presence of many Monegasque personalities. During his speech, the Sovereign said that he was delighted the Forum was taking place face to face and said that he appreciated the role and the responsibility of Financial Intelligence Units in the fight against money laundering resulting from criminal activities. He then announced that a “National Coordination” will be directly set up under the responsibility of the Minister of State.
Prince Albert II also spoke about the fight against the financing of terrorism as a fundamental issue for the security of a world faced with new finance challenges, including crypto-currencies and their regulation.
Monaco notably passed a law last December to strengthen the system for combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism and corruption. Bill 1037, which is currently under consideration, aims to complete that law.
