Visit by Ambassadors and Representatives of Member States accredited to the IAEA to mark the 25th anniversary of the new location of the Marine Environment Laboratories

25e anniversaire de l'AIEA à Monaco © Michaël Alesi - Palais Princier

A delegation of high-level representatives from some 40 Member States of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna, visited Monaco on 6 and 7 October 2023 to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Marine Environment Laboratories at its current location.

Hosted in the Principality since 1961, the IAEA Laboratories were initially intended to be a three-year marine radioactivity monitoring programme in partnership with the Oceanographic Museum and the Prince’s Government. In 1998, the Laboratories were moved to a more appropriate location to meet a growing number of requests from Member States.

On 6 October, the traditional annual visit was held at the Marine Environment Laboratories. The Delegation was welcomed by Ms Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General of IAEA, Ms Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the Monaco-based Laboratories, Ms Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and H.E. Mr Lorenzo Ravano, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Monaco to the IAEA. These guests had the opportunity to visit the new facility for the analysis of sea water samples collected in the vicinity of nuclear plants.

With this year marking the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, who led efforts for Monaco to join IAEA and offered to host the Laboratories in Monaco, visits to emblematic locations like the Oceanographic Museum, Opera and Casino rooms were organised for the entire Delegation. 

Lastly, the Delegation led by H.E. Mr Lorenzo Ravano was welcomed to the Royal Courtyard of the Prince’s Palace, where H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince met with participants for a friendly discussion.