Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  Alison Smale, (left)   UN  Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Rosleny Ubiñas, Co-chair of the Department of Global Communications Youth Steering Committee, and Fannie Munlin, the Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee at  press conference Aug. 22, 2019 at United Nations world headquarters in New York on the 68th UN Civil Society Conference that is due to take place in Salt Lake City from 26 to 28 August. 

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK –   For the first time, the United States is hosting  the United Nations’ Civil Society Conference outside UN headquarters in New York .  SALT LAKE CITY,  Utah is the chosen U.S. venue for this year’s 68th UN Civil Society Conference that will take place Aug. 26-28.  Salt Lake City is making history as the first city to ever host the UN Conference outside of New York City.  The official theme is “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Communities”. As part of the 2019 conference, the UN and Salt Lake City decided that youth will be responsible for about 40% of the planning and execution of the event. Activists battling climate change, a former child soldier and health workers pioneering new treatments around the world are among thousands of participants who will gather in Salt Lake City for a global conversation on building inclusive and sustainable cities and communities.

 “I can think of no better time or place than Salt Lake City, for the United Nations to reintroduce its vision, mission, and values to the American people.  With everything we are doing to build a sustainable and resilient city, from investing in more equitable transit and housing to becoming a clean energy city — Salt Lake City is the perfect place to have these important conversations.”

-Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski 

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video / Alison Smale, (left) UN  Under-Secretary-General for Global Communication speaks about Salt Lake City Conference. 

  “In visiting Salt Lake City I was struck by the rapid growth and innovation there, symbolized by the construction cranes dotting the beautiful mountain landscape, and by the sense of opportunity as young people flock to the region for its educational and job offerings.  It is a great setting for a global conversation on inclusion and sustainability in cities and communities of all sizes.”

Alison Smale, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /    The Mayor of Salt Lake City Jackie Biskupski  (above screen)  spoke by audio link at UN press conference Aug. 22,  2019.