Prince Albert II of Monaco attends Trade Secret screening at the Council of Europe

Trade Secret was honoured by the attendance of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco at our screening in Strasbourg on October 1st, held during the 2026 autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

This marked the first screening of Trade Secret for European policymakers. Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is Europe's longest-standing intergovernmental body for human rights and the rule of law, and comprises 46 member states representing 700 million citizens.

The timing and the setting were particularly fitting. Monaco currently holds the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Prince Albert II is a renowned environmentalist with a lifelong commitment to safeguarding our planet and a particular passion for ocean conservation.

Trade Secret was represented at the screening by Iris Ho, a wildlife policy expert featured in the film. Prince Albert II watched a highlights reel featuring Ho's undercover footage investigating the sale of polar bear fur in China and Norway, and expressed interest in watching the full film.

Among those attending the screening alongside Prince Albert II were several senior Council of Europe officials, including Secretary General Alain Berset, President of the Parliamentary Assembly Petra Bayr, and Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly Despina Chatzivassiliou.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Ho; Aurora Floridia, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network for a Healthy Environment; and Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law. The panel discussed the commercial exploitation of polar bears and the role Europe can play in demonstrating global biodiversity leadership and helping bring an end to the commercial trade in polar bear fur and body parts.

The Trade Secret team extends its profound appreciation to President of the Parliamentary Assembly Petra Bayr, her adviser Kateryna Gayevska, and all the Council of Europe colleagues involved in making this high-profile event possible after months of preparation. We are grateful for their continued support of the film and our efforts to protect polar bears.

We are tremendously grateful for the generous time and attention that Prince Albert II has given to Trade Secret amidst his packed schedule.