UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres
May 28-30, 2014 – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres will start his official visit in Canada on Tuesday 27 May 2014, for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Government of Canada.
High Commissioner Guterres, who has also been invited to deliver the third Annual Global Pluralism Lecture on 29 May 2014 at the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird; Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander; Ambassador for the Office of Religious Freedom Andrew Bennett; and other senior government officials and members of the civil society in Ottawa.
High Commissioner Guterres will also make a brief stop in Montreal before his departure to Geneva, to meet with Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Kathleen Weil.
The overarching theme for High Commissioner Guterres’ official visit in Canada is refugee protection and global displacement challenges.
Canada has a long and proud tradition of offering asylum and permanent settlement to refugees. Canada also provides both political and financial support to UNHCR.