Monaco celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of its admission to the United Nations

Jacques Dupont et Boutros Boutros-Ghali lors de la cérémonie d'admission de Monaco le 28 mai 1993 © UN Photo - Milton Grant

2023 marks an important year of celebrations in the Principality, including Monaco’s admission to the United Nations 30 years ago.

On 28 May 1993, the Monegasque flag was hoisted for the first time at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, when the Principality of Monaco became the international organization’s 183rd member state.

The application was led by Prince Rainier III, who stated: “Today will remain an important date in the already long history of our country, for it is the certainty of its future.”

The flag raising ceremony for Monaco and Eritrea, which joined the Organization at the same time as the Principality, took place in the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General at the time, Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Monaco was represented by its then Minister of State, Jacques Dupont, together with his Chief of Staff, Denis Ravera and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of State, Rainier Imperti.

On 27 September 1993, speaking for the very first time, Hereditary Prince Albert gave a speech on behalf of the Principality of Monaco before member states and organizations at the 48th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Appointed Head of the Monegasque Delegation by his father, Prince Albert has taken part regularly in these international meetings for the last 30 years.

Created the same year, the Permanent Mission of Monaco has had four different ambassadors, acting as Permanent Representatives to the United Nations: Jacques Boisson from 1993 to 2003; Michel Borghini from 2003 to 2004; Gilles Noghes from 2004 to 2009, and Isabelle Picco since 2009.

The Ambassador is currently assisted in her missions by four diplomats. Under the leadership of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, the Permanent Mission of Monaco ensures that the voice of the Principality is heard and defends global issues, principle among which are sustainable development and the protection of the oceans and the law of the sea in particular, human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, and sport for development and peace. Monaco has held the Vice-Presidency of the General Assembly three times, at the 54th, 68th and 75th sessions, and sat on several United Nations bodies.

This important anniversary will be celebrated on 19 June 2023 at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations with a concert by the Orchestra of the Palace Guards, held in the emblematic General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Discours de SAS le Prince Rainier III en 1995 pour les 50 ans de l'ONU ©UN Photo - Greg Kinch

Monaco is also represented by Ambassadors to the United Nations Offices in Europe, in Geneva (Carole Lanteri) and Vienna (Lorenzo Ravano).

Discours de SAS le Prince Albert II en 2022 lors de la 77ème AG de l'ONU © UN Photo - Cia Pak