- Mr. Prime Minister
- Mr. Chief of Cabinet of His Serene Highness
- Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Representatives of Monaco’s highest authorities
- Mr. President of the FICAC
- Deans and Member of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps
- Your Excellencies,
In 2010, when my friend the Honourable Panayotis Touliatos, who is the Consul General of Greece in Monaco, and Secretary General of the ACHM, as well as an active board member of the FICAC, brought me the idea that we, the Monegasque Consular Corps Association, should host the next FICAC World Congress in 2012, I looked at him and said “Takis, my friend are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?!!! Why do we want to take this big responsibility on our shoulders???”
I guess you can all appreciate the reservations and uncertainties I had about our ability to successfully fulfill such an ambitious but challenging mission. Today,
- two years after such initial discussions
- after being entrusted by the FICAC’s board to host such a Congress
- after obtaining the unconditional support of Monaco’s highest authorities
- after the absolute mobilisation of all of our consular corps members
- after the inexhaustible months of benevolent work
- after the absolute support and indefectible trust invested in us by our sponsors,
I am proud to see that, today, with all of you here present, the dream has become a reality.
Your excellencies, honourable consuls, ladies and gentleman, on behalf of the ACHM, Monaco’s Consular Corps Association, it gives me great honour and immense pleasure to welcome all of you to the FICAC’s 10th World Congress, here in the principality of Monaco.
This Congress has gathered more than 200 official delegates, representing more than 90 countries from across the four corners of the globe. Such a rich and mature attendance testifies of the importance of the consular function and consolidates a new form of collaboration within the continuously growing role of the FICAC.
The pleasure and honour are all the greater because his Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, has wholeheartedly bestowed upon this event his distinguished patronage and has exceptionally accepted to personally be present with us this afternoon.
The presence this morning of His Excellency Prime Minister Michel Roger, as well as numerous eminent officials, demonstrates the Principality’s strong and unconditional commitment towards the consular function and, more precisely, towards the many participating representatives of friendly countries here today.
This moment is my opportunity to personally thank the FICAC and its vibrant president, Hon. Arnold Foote, as well as the FICAC’s executive committee members, for this choice and the faith they have shown us by entrusting the ACHM with the challenging task of planning and holding this long-awaited event in the Principality of Monaco.
Please know that this task was made possible by the priceless assistance of the Monegasque government and the unequaled availability and extraordinary support of its administration and institutions. But also through the unrelenting work of the ACHM organising committee, which was specifically formed for the occasion and presided over by my friend, Panayotis Touliatos, who was closely accompanied directly on the terrain by Hon. Sylvain Cohen, Rodolphe Berlin and the persistent and determined coordinator-of-all Colonel Thierry Jouan.
Standing here before this impressive assembly of officials and honourable consuls, I note with satisfaction and pride, the magnitude of the task and efforts that have been carried out by all concerned parties towards the success of this Congress. To all these authorities, entities, individuals, sponsors and all the delegates, many of whom traveled great distance to be here, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and warmest appreciation.
Ladies and gentleman, the timing of our gathering falls within a very crucial and sensitive moment in our modern history. The world is actually undergoing major political, social, environmental and economic challenges. The
- Euro crisis
- the Arabs spring
- the economic crisis
- the nuclear proliferation
- the global warming
- the fiscal policies changes
- the human rights implementation
- the protection of the environment
- the world’s peace
- the famine and poverty situation,
and many other fundamental topics, are in the heart of the 21st century future.
Our world is facing today its biggest policy changes and, therefore, challenges. Those are the guiding principles that are now shaking the entire planet to its foundation. It is our duty to contribute towards instating a peaceful world, a viable free society, a sound economic model and, most importantly, a sustainable environment.
It is for this reason, we have wisely selected three very pressing topical themes: “Peace”, “Economic Crisis” and “Biodiversity” shall pave the way to excellent presentations and dialogue during this FICAC 10th World Congress in Monaco.
I seek this opportunity to thank our five renowned speakers, who, despite their very busy schedule, kindly accepted to come and share with us their wisdom and vision on three such vital topics. Gentlemen, we are delighted to have you with us.
I would like to conclude by wishing this Congress tremendous success, enjoyable stay to all the participants and their companions in the Principality of Monaco and, most importantly, a lively and rewarding dialogue which ultimately shall all converge towards a shared objective, that of a reconciled and peaceful world, one in which man lives in harmony with his environment and neighbour.
Thank you for your kind attention!
