Official launch of the Foundation's Latin America branch in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charles Leclerc

Following his participation in the opening of the COP30 in Belém, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco inaugurated the Latin America branch of his Foundation during an official ceremony in São Paulo, on Friday, November 7.

The event was held at the residence of Mr Arnoldo Wald, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Brazil and President of the Foundation’s new Latin American branch, in the presence of five hundred distinguished guests from the fields of diplomacy, science, philanthropy, and civil society.

Present in São Paulo, the Monegasque Formula One driver, Charles Leclerc opened the evening with words of recognition for the work conducted by the Foundation under the leadership of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, while celebrating the opening of the Latin America Branch in Brazil.

In his welcome address Mr. Arnoldo Wald paid tribute to the Sovereign’s relentless commitment to save the planet before reminding the importance of collective action and the key role the private sector must play if we want to tackle the environmental challenges we face : “Brazil has approximately 20% of the world's biodiversity. It has seas, rivers and forests, such as the Amazon, and biomes, such as the Pantanal, which generate the largest carbon credit stocks in the world. It therefore has an unparalleled responsibility in the global environmental agenda. But this responsibility does not lie solely with the State. Our private sector is dynamic and aware of the importance of pursuing a greener and more responsible economy.”

The Latin American branch, based in São Paulo and covering the entire continent, becomes the eleventh international office of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Its creation marks a decisive step in strengthening the Foundation’s presence across a region that is vital to global biodiversity. Since its establishment in 2006, the Foundation has already supported twenty-four projects in ten Latin American countries.

In his address, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco expressed his gratitude to those who made this milestone possible, Mr Arnoldo Wald, Honorary Consul of Monaco to São Paolo and President of the Latin American Branch; the Vice Presidents, Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, Mrs Luciana de Montigny and Mr Heraldo Muñoz; as well as the members of the board for their dedication and work already accomplished.

The Sovereign Prince continued “With this new branch, and thanks to your engagement, we will be able to amplify our impact, not only in Brazil but across the entire continent.”

Reaffirming the scientific urgency driving the Foundation’s global mission, the Prince concluded: “The scientific community continues to sound the alarm, with evidence that is clear, consistent, and irrefutable. Yet we still struggle, collectively, to listen, to accept, and to act. The effects of our activities, greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, are well known. But the consequences of our inaction are no less grave.”