Société Générale Private Banking Monaco Renews its Commitment and Support to the Monk Seal Alliance Alongside the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Société Générale Private Banking (SGPB) Monaco is renewing its commitment to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in its efforts to protect Mediterranean marine ecosystems, and more specifically by supporting the Monk Seal Alliance (MSA), an initiative led by the Foundation dedicated to safeguarding the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world's most endangered marine mammals.

Created to encourage coordinated action between donors and field actors, the Monk Seal Alliance funds and supports conservation projects across the Mediterranean basin. It also facilitates networking and the sharing of knowledge among organizations working to protect the species and its habitat.

Once abundant throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in part of the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean monk seal has seen its population drastically reduced due to hunting, deliberate killing by fishermen, accidental catches in fishing nets and habitat destruction. Strong regional and national measures have been taken to reduce the pressure on the species, notably through the creation of marine protected areas, but also through dialogue with fishing communities. The adopted measures have allowed the populations to recover. Listed as “critically endangered” twenty years ago by the IUCN Red List, it now classifies the species as “vulnerable”, with an estimated growing population of around 1,000 individuals in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions. While the results are encouraging, conservation efforts must continue to ensure the species' long-term protection.

About Société Générale Private Banking Monaco:

Société Générale Private Banking Monaco is part of the Société Générale Group's private banking division, which has been operating in the Principality for over 100 years. Through this partnership, SGPB Monaco is fully aligned with the Group's philanthropy programme, which focuses on initiatives promoting:

·         Education, to foster the development of fundamental knowledge, financial literacy, education through sport and arts, and professional integration, especially for the disadvantaged youth,

·         Culture, to support classical music, as well as modern and contemporary arts,

·         Environment, to encourage the preservation of nature, especially biodiversity and the oceans, and to raise awareness about those major issues.

By supporting three areas that are essential to the community, Société Générale is actively involved in building a more inclusive and sustainable society.