Monaco Yacht Show commits to saving the world’s oceans with Prince Albert’s 2018 gala

As the threat of climate change becomes ever more real, governments and businesses alike are being called upon to consider their impact upon our environments. For the cynical, the buzzword of sustainability can seem like little more than a business strategy, particularly as we hunger for more speed, power and instant luxury in our day to day lives. But, far from just riding a wave of sustainability, the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show has been working to protect vital resources in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation since 2010.

This year, the annual luxury yacht fair has strengthened that commitment even further by joining forces with the foundation's second annual Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean. Chaired by HSH Prince Albert II, the gala brings together philanthropists and artists dedicated to taking action for marine protection – last year honouring Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio for his environmental work through his eponymous foundation.

The Gala will be held on the terraces of Opera Garnier on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show on 26 September, and include performances, fine cuisine and an auction of exceptional experiences and art pieces. Last year, star guests included Uma Thurman, Martin Scorsese, Eva Longoria, Madonna and Andy García. >>

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The Prince's Foundation, founded in 2006, has ocean conservation and protection at its core since its inception. Albert's wife Charlene, Princess of Monaco, is herself a former Olympic swimmer for her native South Africa and engages in extensive charity work centred on the protection of our oceans, in addition to championing swimming lessons for children and adults of all backgrounds through her own Foundation.

The Monaco Yacht Show first announced its commitment to green projects in 2005, before spearheading the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's 'Wood Forever Pact' when it became a partner. The pact raises awareness within the superyachting community about the use of wood certified as originating from sustainably-managed forests and campaigns against deforestation. It also partners with Italian company RINA each year to present the Green Plus Yacht Awards to reward environmentally-friendly innovations within the superyacht industry.

"In 2010, the Wood Forever Programme, found a natural and coherent echo in the MYS message: to raise the awareness of the yachting community about deforestation and the concrete alternative ecological solutions currently available to shipyards," Gaelle Tallarida, managing director of the Monaco Yacht Show, said in 2016. "In the light of the astonishing growth in the yachting industry over the past few years, we are all responsible for asking ourselves about its real impact as far as sustainable development is concerned and, more prosaically, the protection of the environment."