Environmentally focused agency now calls community home

RICHMOND HILL – Earlier today, the City of Richmond Hill officially welcomed the United Nations University to the community, raising the world-renowned organization’s flag outside of City Hall.

As the academic arm of the United Nations with 13 institutes in 12 countries around the world, the United Nations University addresses a range of global development challenges with its Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), working on major sustainability issues. Since 1996, the institute has been supported by the Government of Canada to help the UN member states tackle their fundamental water, environmental, and health challenges. 

Richmond Hill was selected to host the institute’s new headquarters based on its commitment to sustainability, its highly skilled and educated workforce, the many opportunities the City offers for partnership with the private sector, and its interest in using the best available knowledge to improve the quality of human life and the environment. 

The new headquarters will work with academic institutions around the world to support global policies in water, environment and health, and will collaborate with technology providers, start ups and innovators that are focused on environmental management and sustainability. The City looks forward to partnering with the University to raise environmental awareness and make a positive impact on sustainability transition and innovation, showcasing the community as an environmental role model. 

Quotes

“The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health has promoted global collaboration and positive change worldwide. Richmond Hill's new campus will welcome students from around the world, serve as a world-class educational hub for sustainability, and encourage environmental leadership for years to come.” 

- The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, International Development Minister 

"Today marks a proud moment as Richmond Hill welcomes the academic arm of the United Nations University, a renowned institution with a global impact. Witnessing our community evolve into a hub for Sustainability and Innovation fills me with pride. Congratulations to the City and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health on this transformative partnership. I am confident that together, we will position Richmond Hill as a pioneering environmental role model, on the local and national stage." 

- Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill 

“This is an exciting time for Richmond Hill to welcome this globally respected organization to our city! To have the opportunity to collaborate with a like-minded group on environmental matters that we as a community have been long committed to is huge. I look forward to seeing where the future takes us and want to personally welcome the staff of the United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health to our city.”  

- David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill 

“We are thankful to the people and Government of Canada for the continuous support of the UN University that has enabled us to make a difference in Canada and the rest of the world. We will continue our collaborative efforts to make science and education accessible globally and to ensure that we can collectively tackle our water, environmental, and health problems. It’s exciting to see the UN flag raised in Richmond Hill and we are very much looking forward to working with the Richmond Hill community and the rest of Canada to make the world a better place for all.” 

- Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH 

Quick Facts about the City of Richmond Hill

• Smart people from all over the world come to Richmond Hill to build and grow innovative businesses. The City is home to over 4,500 companies, many of whom are designing and developing the next generation of cutting-edge products.
• Richmond Hill offers access to world-leading professional services, top-notch incubators and research facilities and over 20 universities and colleges within a one-hour drive.
• Richmond Hill is a leader in environmental management and sustainability. Its forward-thinking Environment Strategy and Community Energy and Emissions Plan help guide the City and community’s environmental efforts and tackle climate change issues from various angles.
• The City is committed to working with innovative and engaged citizens, as well as key government and private sector partners, to build a sustainable, resilient, low-carbon city.
• Richmond Hill is part of Canada’s largest technology cluster, and is also a pioneer in the four key business sectors (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Health Industry, Finance and Insurance, and Information and Cultural Industries). 

Quick Facts about the UNU-INWEH

• UNU-INWEH works on the most pressing water, environmental, and health problems around the world with particular attention to the countries in the Global South.
• UNU-INWEH works with the UN member states, including Canada on research, education and policy outreach activities that can improve human well-being and the environment.
• UNU-INWEH is known as the UN Think Tank on Water given the major leadership role it has played to address global water security challenges. 
• UNU-INWEH was founded in 1996 through an agreement between Canada and the United Nations and was hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton before moving to Richmond Hill.
• In February 2023, the UN Under-Secretary-General appointed Professor Kaveh Madani as the Director of UNU-INWEH. Professor Madani is a world-renowned environment scientist and leader who has previously served as the Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau, overseeing the the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment, with a universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.
• The institute has benefited from close collaboration with Canadian scientists and educators to make a positive impact globally.

Media Contact

Candice Debi
Director, Communications, City of Richmond Hill
Candice.Debi@RichmondHill.ca 

Kate Davey
Communications Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Kate.Davey@RichmondHill.ca 

Sogol Jafarzadeh
UN and Government Relations Coordinator, UNU-INWEH
sogol.jafarzadeh@unu.edu