Prince Albert of Monaco in Elafonisos for Environmental Event

Prince Albert of Monaco was among the personalities from all over the Mediterranean hosted by Elafonisos during the three-day (April 14, 15, 16) international dialogue and action meeting for the environment titled ‘Elafonisos Eco Week 2025’. Prince Albert attended the ‘Elafonisos Eco Week 2025’, a key event focusing on sustainability and natural resource protection. The event was held in Elafonisos with the support of Prince Albert, who attended as an official guest for the second time since his last visit in 2023. He actively supports the ‘Elafonisos Eco Week’ and the collective commitment to environmental sustainability in the Mediterranean. During the conference, he emphasized the need for global ecological action and supported local entities promoting sustainability. Key speakers included Dionysia-Theodora Augerinpoulou (Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for Marine Protection), Christos Kellas (Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food), Dimitris Ptchos (Regional Governor of Peloponnese), Petros Varelidis (General Secretary for Natural Environment and Water), and Manolis Grafakos (General Secretary for Waste Management Coordination). Among the highlights of Prince Albert’s speech was the formal proposal to declare Elafonisos as the ‘Living Laboratory for Invasive Species of the Mediterranean’, focusing on the rapidly spreading Lionfish threatening marine biodiversity. Efforts to reduce plastic waste continue through collaborations with BeMed and involve local schools for awareness and education. Prince Albert also backed the creation of a Marine Protected Area for Elafonisos and Greek seas to enhance and protect the local ecosystem. This symposium brings together local communities, academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and environmental enthusiasts to share proposals strengthening island ecosystems under the auspices of the Municipality of Elafonisos. Since its establishment in 2013, Elafonisos Eco focuses on environmental actions and preserving natural resources with a positive social impact, aiming to make Elafonisos an ecological and sustainable island.