Six cities in seven days: The Mayor of Montréal pursues a dialogue on a new urban agenda intended to meet local and global challenges

MONTRÉAL, April 25, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal and President of Metropolis, the World Association of Major cities, will be embarking on a mission to Europe from April 25 to May 2, 2016. This seven-day mission will see Mayor Coderre visit six European cities, notably Stockholm (Sweden), London (United Kingdom), Dublin (Ireland), Brussels (Belgium), Düsseldorf and Berlin (Germany). During his mission, the Mayor of Montréal will meet mayors, elected and senior officials, and will address chambers of commerce audiences.

"Montréal plays a leadership role on the international stage, and we intend to work closely with the mayors in a context where cities are developing a new urban agenda aimed at meeting local and global challenges, from socio-economic development to climate change. As President of Metropolis, I am committed to promoting this new urban agenda and will encourage large cities to join the Metropolis network," said Mayor Coderre.

Cities and metropolises, it's worth recalling, have a vital role to play in meeting the most pressing challenges, including those related to innovation, sustainable development, climate change, migration, new technologies, integration and security.

Objectives of the mission 
The mission to Europe includes several objectives. Mayor Coderre intends to strengthen Montréal's institutional and political ties with the European cities he visits. Economic development is also at the heart of this mission, which will make it possible to build closer economic ties between Montréal and European cities. In addition, the Mayor of Montréal plans to foster greater cooperation between the cities on issues of Living Together, inclusion and the prevention of radicalization, in particular by travelling to Dublin to sign the International Observatory of Mayors on Living Together. The promotion of Montréal's transportation electrification strategy will also be on the agenda, notably in London and Stockholm.

Heightening Montréal's profile abroad 
The many activities and meetings planned as part of this mission will serve to enhance Montréal's reputation in Europe and strengthen city-to-city ties as well as relations between our respective businesses and institutions working in economic, academic and cultural sectors.

"Montréal is a dynamic metropolis with a diversified economy based on knowledge and technology. We're a university city, a highly creative hub for culture, a global city where many leading international organizations have chosen to set up their head offices, not to mention a popular tourist destination. It's important to promote Montréal's brand image as a vibrant city and a metropolis that plays a preeminent role on the world stage," concluded Mayor Coderre.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source: Catherine Maurice, Press Attaché, Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee, 514 346-7598; Information: Gonzalo Nunez, Media Relations Officer, Communications Department, 514 868-1127