Dedicated to human rights

Firmly positioned on the international scene as a committed partner in favour of sustainable development, Monaco is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 by the United Nations. Thus, the Principality contributes to the fundamental values of peace, respect for human rights and tolerance through its offical development assistance policy. The latter showcases Monaco’s concrete commitment 
to reducing inequalities in the world and ensuring rights for all.

As a member state of the Council of Europe, the Principality is Party to various Council of Europe conventions and has been involved in its various programmes since 2004.With regard to the Convention  on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, Monaco supports the programme ‘Combating violence against women, domestic violence  and violence against children in neighbouring countries’.

Monaco also supports the Council of Europe’s ‘Action Plan on the protection of vulnerable persons  in the context of migration and asylum in Europe (2021-2025)’. This support is in line with the Government’s commitment in favour of the inclusion of refugees and displaced persons. The partnership with the Italian organisation Comunità di Sant’Egidio, aimed at guaranteeing safe and legal access to Europe for the most vulnerable people through "Humanitarian Corridors", is an example of this effort. In 2016, the Principality joined its French and Italian neighbours in providing initial emergency aid. In 2018, it is taking part  in the "Reception and integration in Italy of Syrian refugees from Lebanon’ programme. As part of this partnership, the government is also involved in the fight against the phenomenon of ‘invisible’ children through the ‘Bravo!’ programme, which aims to improve the registration of births at the civil registry office. The right to an identity, the first of Human rights!

Stigmatised and/or vulnerable populations and their families, i.e. Uprooted people, people with disabilities, women and girls, children, street children, young NEETs (Neither in Employment, nor in Education  or Training), are the core target of the Monegasque Cooperation’s action. This action is based 
on the principles of effectiveness, sustainability and inclusiveness, drawing on four main areas of intervention and fundamental human rights: health, food security and nutrition, education and child protection,  and access to decent work.

The Government of Monaco’s actions are implemented in line with the national policies of the concerned countries. Since 2017, Monaco has for example been cooperating with the Republic of Tunisia as part  of its de-institutionalisation policy with a view to limiting the institutionalization of children without family support, as encouraged by the 1989 International Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2024, the Principality also made a commitment, alongside Tunisia, to promote vocational training for young people.

Finally, the promotion of gender equality is one of Monaco’s cross-cutting approaches to international development. Flagship programmes, such as entrepreneurship for women and young people or education for vulnerable girls, focus on privileged intervention niches and optimise the impact of the  Principality’s official development assistance.