Albert II, Prince of Monaco, wearing a tie with Greek flags, gestures during a ceremony to receive the Gold Medal of the city at Athens City Hall, on April 21, 2026. [Petros Giannakouris/AP]
He came to Greece for the 11th Delphi Forum, but he visits the country often, not only for official engagements, but also to catch a basketball game from time to time. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, also met with the Greek prime minister during his visit to our country, with whom he discussed his initiatives for the protection of marine life, funding for actions to save the Mediterranean monk seal, as well as further strengthening cooperation around the “blue economy.”
In one of his rare interviews, Albert II spoke to Kathimerini about the impact of the war in Ukraine and developments in the Gulf on the course of the energy transition, while also highlighting the difficulty of convincing citizens to adopt sustainable alternatives.
Many European leaders are freezing their energy transition targets, while President Trump has embraced the “drill, baby, drill” doctrine. In 2017, you described President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as a terrible shame. How do you comment on this renewed shift toward fossil fuels?
I understand that this [shift] is not good news at all. It is very bad news for everyone, and above all for future generations, including our children and grandchildren. We now know the long-term effects of hydrocarbons and the carbon-based economy. But it is not enough to simply condemn these developments; we have to persuade people, and that is the hardest part. We need to understand why so many people support policies that are harmful to human health, the climate, and the environment. Many view ecological concerns as constraints and changes that are inconvenient or restrictive. Some even believe they are asserting their freedom, when in fact they are committing themselves to a future marked by dependence and suffering. So we must inspire people. Human progress is not incompatible with preserving our natural resources and our planet. Alternative energy sources can provide lasting solutions. It does not have to be a single approach, but there can be a mix of solutions, many of which already exist and simply need to be scaled up. Historically, progress on behalf of the planet has never been easy; it has always required effort, and outcomes have rarely been clear-cut. What matters now is demonstrating that these solutions are feasible and expanding them, which will, of course, require funding and commitment.
Do you believe that the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Gulf are accelerating the need for energy independence and greater investment in sustainable energy models? And if so, what initiatives should be prioritized?
I think these crises have a double effect. On the one hand, they highlight the urgent need to break free from traditional energy dependencies. On the other hand, they also demand immediate solutions, which are often not ideal. Any conflict involving heavy military activity is never good for the environment, and its effects will unfortunately be long-lasting. Returning to the energy transition, it is a long and very costly process that requires significant investment. In times of crisis, such investment is often difficult to secure or justify. A world in constant conflict cannot sustain the level of cooperation and investment required. Continuous crises are not only harmful to humanity but also to the planet. At the same time, we must draw lessons from these conflicts and build energy independence through renewable sources such as geothermal, solar, wind, and wave power. There is also the promise of hydrogen, which has seen notable development in recent months, though not yet at the necessary scale. Ultimately, peace is a prerequisite for progress in this area. We cannot afford a fragmented world if we want to advance these solutions. Collaboration is essential.
In October, you traveled to the Sporades, where you visited the Alonissos National Marine Park, a sanctuary for the protection of the monk seal. At the same time, Monaco has contributed more than €10 million to a “blue economy” investment fund. What initiatives are you currently undertaking to highlight the importance of the oceans, and what do most world leaders not understand about them?
In my earlier remarks, I spoke about the fact that we are a maritime civilization. We must take this into account and ensure that we care for our seas and oceans, while also recognizing the benefits that can come from the sustainable use of marine resources. There are many aspects of the “blue economy” that are developing in a sustainable way, including tourism, communications, and food trade. A large proportion of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of coastlines, which makes this sector not only significant but full of potential, provided it is managed responsibly. Seas are fragile ecosystems, and the Mediterranean in particular is especially vulnerable. We must therefore find ways to develop these activities while strengthening their protection. To achieve this, we need to mobilize economic actors. The corporate world plays a crucial role, and it is important to connect businesses with other stakeholders. Many economic actors are already engaged in this direction, or are willing to be, and we must support them through appropriate regulatory frameworks, access to capital, and scientific guidance. Solid data and research are essential to ensure that development remains sustainable, and we now need to facilitate and accelerate these efforts.
Given that Monaco is one of the world’s leading destinations for yachting and luxury tourism, and with Greece having over 16,000 kilometers of coastline, what areas of cooperation and partnerships are you discussing with your counterparts in Athens?
We discussed various programs in which our foundation (Monaco Explorations) has been involved, many of them tied to local ecosystems. A key example is the monk seal and the broader effort to strengthen its protection. This includes bringing together different research initiatives and fostering collaboration through alliances. One such initiative, the “Monk Seal Alliance,” has proven to be very successful. Beyond that, we addressed broader challenges affecting not only the Mediterranean but the world at large. A major priority is the development of marine protected areas, supported and financed through dedicated funding mechanisms. We also discussed efforts to combat plastic pollution through targeted programs, as well as the ongoing, long-term efforts to reach international agreements on ocean governance, such as the “High Seas Treaty” signed at the United Nations last year, to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, and the global plastics treaty, which, unfortunately, has not yet delivered the expected results. We also reflected together on the future of tourism and how to make it more sustainable while ensuring it respects marine environments. This is essential not only for Mediterranean countries but globally. Tourism is one of the most dynamic industries in the world, and particularly significant in Greece, but it must fully engage in this transition. Its long-term viability depends on it. With growing demand from global populations, the sector needs support through innovation, investment and appropriate regulation. While the growth of tourism can appear very positive from a purely economic perspective, it can place significant strain on sensitive environments. That is why better management and regulation are necessary to balance economic benefits with environmental protection.
We have seen you several times at Greek basketball games. How do you experience the atmosphere? And secondly, are you discussing any cooperation with Greek teams in terms of knowledge exchange or other joint programs?
I must say that the few times I have attended basketball games in Greece, the atmosphere has been incredible. The passion and energy of the fans are remarkable, sometimes even overwhelming for visiting teams playing in that environment. You can really see both the enthusiasm and the deep knowledge that fans have for the game, which makes it a truly unique experience. I was sorry not to be able to attend the recent game against Panathinaikos, and congratulations to Panathinaikos for their win. I believe our next (Monaco) annual game is against Olympiakos, so we will see how that goes. We are very proud to have a strong team capable of performing at a high level in the Euroleague. It has been a challenging season in many respects, both on and off the court, but the team continues to compete. As for cooperation with Greek clubs, there have not yet been any formal discussions regarding partnerships or knowledge exchange programs. However, it is certainly something that could be considered in the future. I also recall attending the Champions League final in 2018 between Monaco and AEK, and I am sure I will have the opportunity to return and experience once again the passion and atmosphere here in Greece.