18 November 2015

“Join us to show solidarity with Paris”

Auckland Mayor Len Brown and other world mayors invited to attend next month’s climate change conference Paris have been urged to stand firm and commit to attending the summit.

The plea comes in a letter from Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York and now the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, and Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes.

Following a meeting between Len Brown and Michael Bloomberg in New York last year, Mr Bloomberg’s foundation is funding the Auckland Mayor’s travel costs to the summit.

The letter reads “Following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the expressions of support received from cities around the world, Mayor (of Paris) Anne Hidalgo made it clear that she wants the upcoming climate change events in Paris, including the Climate Summit for Local Leaders to go forward as planned on December 4 - 6, as part of the U.N.’s gathering of world leaders at COP21.

“We, as well as the organizations we lead, support Mayor Hidalgo and the citizens of Paris and we urge you to attend our meetings and the Summit.

“There is no better way for us to express our support for the people of France and to all those in favour of peace and dialogue than to stand united shoulder to shoulder on December 4, when the world’s eyes will be focused on Paris.
“If you have committed to attend the Summit, we want to convey that your attendance is now more important than ever.

“If you were considering whether to attend, we urge you to join us.

“If you had declined to attend because of other commitments, we respectfully ask you to reconsider.

“Terrorism threatens cities around the world. Defeating it requires unity, solidarity and cooperation. The Summit offers a unique opportunity for local and regional leaders to express our unwavering commitment to one another and our unshakeable determination to defeat terrorism and defend our shared values.”

Ends

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