The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Gere Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding in Monaco today, agreeing to look for ways to work together on environmental protection and planetary health.

The agreement was signed by Romain Ciarlet, vice-chairman and chief executive of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and Ana Buitrago, president and chief executive of the Gere Foundation, in the presence of the actor Richard Gere.

The two foundations said the agreement will let them identify areas of common interest and, where relevant, share expertise and knowledge, highlight each other’s initiatives and draw on their respective networks.

“We are delighted to establish this relationship with the Gere Foundation. Addressing environmental challenges requires organisations to work across sectors and communities, bringing together different forms of expertise and experience. This agreement gives us the opportunity to identify areas where our respective strengths can complement one another and support meaningful action for the planet,” Ciarlet said.

The Monaco foundation said the agreement reflected its longstanding emphasis on partnerships and on mobilising different actors in response to environmental challenges.

Gere said: “Both foundations share a belief that compassion and responsibility must translate into meaningful action. I am very pleased to see our organisations open this new chapter together and explore how our experience, networks and shared concerns can contribute to protecting the planet and building a more sustainable future.”

The signing took place during a private screening of Wisdom of Happiness, a documentary about the Dalai Lama executive-produced by Gere, at the Théâtre Princesse Grace in Monaco. The screening was followed by a question and answer session with Gere and Tencho Gyatso, niece of the Dalai Lama and president of the International Campaign for Tibet.

The Gere Foundation said its work is rooted in compassion, individual and universal responsibility, human and civil rights, care for the planet and respect for communities, and that it connects people, ideas and resources with organisations working on the ground.

Gere’s environmental work includes the Sierra a Mar initiative in Mexico, which the foundations said brings together local communities, government agencies and developers to set standards for regenerative, nature-based development. The Gere Foundation says the project, in Costalegre in the state of Jalisco, is restoring river basins, coastal lagoons and tropical forests and creating a 100km coastal marine protection zone with managed fisheries.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation was created by Prince Albert II in 2006. Its stated missions are preserving endangered species, protecting freshwater ecosystems, developing a sustainable blue economy and supporting younger generations, and it says it has supported more than 830 projects worldwide, concentrated on climate change, biodiversity and water in the Mediterranean, the Polar Regions and the least developed countries.

Gere was in Monaco for the foundation’s 20th anniversary and attended its anniversary gala at the Salle Garnier of the Opera of Monte-Carlo yesterday as guest of honour, in the presence of the Princely Couple. The foundation said before the event that the actress Monica Bellucci would also attend as a guest of honour, with performances by Christina Aguilera, Plácido Domingo and Sister Sledge and dinner prepared by the chef Yannick Alléno.

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