Next destination for Monaco Explorations: The Indian Ocean

Monaco | eTurboNews | eTN
image courtesy of Monaco Explorations
Written by Alain St.Ange

The upcoming expedition of Monaco Explorations in the Western Indian Ocean is part of the commitment of the Principality and its Sovereign.

This is taking place within the international community for the protection and sustainable management of the ocean.

First item of the Monaco Explorations project endorsed as a contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, the expedition will take place from October to November 2022 between Reunion, Mauritius, and Seychelles, onboard the South African oceanographic and supply ship S.A. Agulhas II.

S.A. Agulhas II will leave its home port of Cape Town in South Africa on October 3, 2022, with a first contingent of around twenty scientists and technicians. They will be joined a few days later in Mauritius and then in Reunion by other teams for a total of about one hundred people: scientists, young researchers and students from the onboard school, filmmakers and photographers, divers, artists, authors, communicators, etc…

On the program:

Four stopovers, a journey of approximately 7,300 nautical miles (13,500 km) and 2 months of navigation punctuated and driven by the various research and field operations programmed throughout the vessel’s journey and during the stations planned around the Aldabra Atoll, on the Saya de Malha Bank, where 15 days of investigations are planned, and finally around the island of Saint Brandon.

Guided by an International Advisory Committee of fourteen experts under the chairmanship of Mr Carl Gustaf Lundin (Executive Director of Mission Blue, USA, formerly Head of IUCN’s Marine and Polar Program), the expedition is implementing a holistic approach based on a multidisciplinary program including natural and social sciences.

SEVEN RESEARCH PROJECTS, TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT ISSUES

The scientific program is structured around the study of two well-identified marine areas: the Saya de Malha Bank and a selection of islands and seamounts located along the expedition route. This program is guided by the four main themes of Monaco Explorations: coral protection, megafauna protection, marine protected areas, and new exploration techniques. It focusses on meeting the needs of the Governments of Seychelles and Mauritius while also relating closely with relevant international and regional organs and initiatives.

MAKING THE EXPEDITION AND ITS CHALLENGES KNOWN TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THROUGH MEDIATION

The objective of the expedition is to enhance the contents, knowledge and resources resulting from this operation, by encouraging the exchange and transmission of knowledge with the greatest number of people, through a varied outreach program which, in its various components, will address a wide public, the actors of the civil society and decision-makers. 

IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE, ENGAGEMENT, AND DIPLOMACY

In the context of diplomatic relations, the expedition will be coordinated with an official visit to the region by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, scheduled for October 20-27, 2022. Other official activities of the Sovereign Prince related to the objectives of the expedition, in particular His interventions in various forums dealing with the protection of the Ocean, may illustrate the context related to the political dimension of the expedition.

The region’s political decision-makers will be able to rely on His singular commitment to the knowledge and protection of the marine environment to relay the voice of these countries and the scientific community, but also to mobilize the international community to bring about and disseminate solutions to reduce environmental degradation.


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About the author

Alain St.Ange

Alain St Ange has been working in the tourism business since 2009. He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel.

He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel. After one year of

After one year of service, he was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

In 2012 the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands regional Organization was formed and St Ange was appointed as the first president of the organization.

In a 2012 cabinet re-shuffle, St Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture which he resigned on 28 December 2016 in order to pursue a candidacy as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation.

At the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu in China, a person who was being sought after for the “Speakers Circuit” for tourism and sustainable development was Alain St.Ange.

St.Ange is the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who left office in December last year to run for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO. When his candidature or document of endorsement was withdrawn by his country just a day before the elections in Madrid, Alain St.Ange showed his greatness as a speaker when he addressed the UNWTO gathering with grace, passion, and style.

His moving speech was recorded as the one on the best marking speeches at this UN international body.

African countries often remember his Uganda address for the East Africa Tourism Platform when he was a guest of honor.

As former Tourism Minister, St.Ange was a regular and popular speaker and was often seen addressing forums and conferences on behalf of his country. His ability to speak ‘off the cuff’ was always seen as a rare ability. He often said he speaks from the heart.

In Seychelles he is remembered for a marking address at the official opening of the island’s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous song… ” you may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. One day you will all join us and the world will be better as one”. The world press contingent gathered in Seychelles on the day ran with the words by St.Ange which made headlines everywhere.

St.Ange delivered the keynote address for the “Tourism & Business Conference in Canada”

Seychelles is a good example for sustainable tourism. This is therefore not surprising to see Alain St.Ange being sought after as a speaker on the international circuit.

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