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Alberto II of Monaco praises Paraguay’s sports infrastructure
The royal visitor left for Belém, Brazil, to attend COP30
Prince Albert II of Monaco concluded this Wednesday his first official three-day visit to Paraguay, ending his agenda with strong support for the country’s rapid development in multi-sport facilities. The prince, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), visited the facilities of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (COP), near Asunción.
Speaking at the Olympic Aquatics Center, Prince Albert highlighted the country’s commitment to sport. “It is very interesting to observe the exceptional development that has been achieved here in such a short time”, said the Monegasque head of state in his only appearance before the local press.
The prince expressed confidence that the COP complex, which recently hosted the Pan American Youth Games and will be a key venue for the 2031 Pan American Games, will also serve as a possible venue for future Youth Olympic Games. “As you know, results cannot be achieved without adequate equipment and without adequate spaces and structures for development”, he stated, expressing the hope that these facilities will guarantee that Paraguayan sport “continues on its upward and victorious path”.
Prince Albert’s visit, which began on Monday, included several important activities. He had an official meeting with President Santiago Peña and First Lady Leticia Ocampo. Later, he visited the Itaipú hydroelectric plant, one of the largest in the world, shared with Brazil. He also visited the Jesuit Missions of Jesús de Tavarangüé and Santísima Trinidad in Itapúa, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
He then left for Belém, Brazil, where he intends to participate in the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30). He is scheduled to speak at a roundtable on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” led by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.