New partnership agreement supports advancement of the City’s environmental goals

RICHMOND HILL – Earlier today, Richmond Hill's Mayor David West welcomed the Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, where they announced a new partnership on sustainability and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support a partnership on sustainability transition and environmental initiatives that benefit the City, Canada and the rest of the world. 

Hosted by the Government of Canada since 1996, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of the 13 institutions that constitute the United Nations University system around the world. The institute has been working for nearly three decades on the most pressing water, environmental, and health challenges around the world with particular attention to the countries in the Global South. Since February 2023, the institute is led by Professor Kaveh Madani, a world-renowned environmental scientist and leader, who has previously served as Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau, overseeing the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment with a universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.  

Richmond Hill became the headquarters for the UNU-INWEH in April 2024 after its relocation from Hamilton. The selection of Richmond Hill as the new home of the institute’s new headquarters was based on the City’s exemplary leadership in sustainability, its highly skilled and educated workforce, and the many opportunities it offers for partnerships. 

The newly signed MOU supports collaboration between the City and UNU-INWEH in areas of shared interest including: 

• Reducing the City’s environmental footprint, including efforts to reduce carbon emissions, water/energy use, and waste production
• Guiding and supporting efforts to manage environmental impacts, enhance local ecosystems, and create a more sustainable community
• Looking at ways to create a sustainability innovation hub through close collaboration and use of technology/environmental solution providers, start-ups, innovators, and entrepreneurs
• Strengthening Richmond Hill’s environmental management and sustainable development expertise with training, education and capacity building initiatives
• Enhancing environmental and sustainability awareness in Richmond Hill, York Region, the province, and Canada as a whole through environmental awareness and community engagement campaigns

Quotes

“Today represents a great opportunity for our community to make an impact on our environmental footprint while becoming a more sustainable city. It is one thing to talk about making changes and another to actually do it. Having an agreement like this in place with the United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health reinforces our commitment to being a catalyst for achieving a sustainable, resilient, low-carbon city.”  

- David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill 

“We are thrilled to further elevate the level our partnership with the City of Richmond Hill through this Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our mission to address global water, environmental, and health challenges and share knowledge and experience with the glove. Richmond Hill’s commitment to sustainability and its vibrant, skilled community make it an ideal location for our headquarters. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada and the City of Richmond Hill for their unwavering support and leadership in sustainability. We believe that community engagement is crucial to our success, and we look forward to working closely with the City's staff, residents, and thought leaders to advance both local and global environmental strategies.” 

- Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH 

“Today’s signing ceremony is not just a formal agreement; it is a pledge to work together towards a common goal. By combining our expertise and resources, we can address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. This partnership will enable us to leverage the strengths of both UNU-INWEH and the City of Richmond Hill to advance research, policy, and practice in water, environment, and health and collectively contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in Canada and Globally.” 

- Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations & Rector of United Nations University 

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 one of the 13 UNU institutes located in 12 countries around the world that collaborate with the UN member states on research, education, and policy outreach activities.
• 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 April 2024.
• 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 Contacts

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