The Secretary-General of the United Nations in Montréal - "I appreciate Mayor Coderre's commitment and leadership" - Ban Ki-moon

MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, completed his stay in Montréal this morning with a visit to the Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (CPRLV). He was accompanied by the Mayor of Montréal, the Honourable Denis Coderre, who recalled that the Centre was a Montréal initiative based on prevention rather than repression, and that it was structured around education, training, mobilization of the community and the promotion of living together.

"The CPRLV is a typically Montréal initiative that reflects our desire to find new solutions to the problem of radicalization. Since its opening, it has become a point of reference both at the national and international level. Belgium and France have already been inspired by the Montréal model. We hope that mayors around the world can do the same," said the Mayor of Montréal.

Yesterday at noon, the Mayor welcomed the Secretary-General to a meeting at City Hall, during which they discussed key themes related to local and global issues, including: the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, urban issues, climate change, the integration of refugees and the fight against radicalization. H.E. Ban Ki-moon thanked the Mayor of Montréal for his demonstrated commitment.

"Mayor Coderre was in Paris in December for the historic climate summit. I greatly appreciate his commitment and leadership. As Secretary-General, I consider myself very lucky to have a Mayor like him who works with the United Nations in the cause of sustainable development," said Mr. Ban.

"I have assured the Secretary-General that he can count on Montréal to meet the challenges facing the world, and as a privileged partner to achieve the ambitious objectives of the United Nations," added the Mayor of Montréal.                                                               

In the evening, H.E. Ban Ki-moon was the guest of honour at an official dinner hosted by the city, which brought together more than 300 people. During this dinner, the Secretary-General of the UN was proclaimed an "Honorary Citizen" by the Mayor of Montréal, who emphasized his important contribution to world peace, to youth and to the preservation of the planet.

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

Catherine Maurice, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee, 514 346-7598