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Ottawa Welcomes President of Iceland and First Lady for Official State Visit
- Key agenda issues include the environment and blue economy, language preservation and youth mental health and well-being -
OTTAWA, ON, May 28, 2023 /CNW/ - His Excellency Guđni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland and First Lady, Eliza Reid are scheduled for an official visit and will be in Ottawa on Sunday May 28. This will be the first Icelandic state visit to Canada since 2000.
Iceland and Canada celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2022. Strengthening bilateral relations between Iceland and Canada, the visit will focus on the blue economy, the green transition, language preservation, youth mental health and substance abuse prevention, health services, and North-North engagement.
Iceland's Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, Lilja Alfređsdóttir, and a delegation comprised of Icelandic officials and business representatives from Eimskip, Icelandic, Icelandair, Íslandsbanki hf., Kadeco, Landsvirkjun, Marel, Planet Youth and Prescriby will join the First Couple on this state visit.
During this visit, President Jóhannesson will meet with top officials, cultural stakeholders and members of the community to discuss key issues and initiatives, including a roundtable on language preservation with Governor General Mary Simon.
Times are indicated in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Monday, May 29, 2023 - Ottawa
9:55 - 11:00 a.m.
Welcoming Ceremony with Military Honors and Ceremonial Tree Planting
Upon their arrival, Canada's Governor General Simon and Mr. Whit Fraser will greet His Excellency Guđni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, First Lady Eliza Reid, Her Excellency Lilja Alfredsdottir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, and His Excellency Hlynur Gudjonsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada, and Ms. Jeannette Menzies, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland. The dignitaries will deliver remarks and participate in a tree-planting ceremony symbolizing friendship and cooperation between the nations.
Grounds of Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Parliament Hill Welcome Ceremony
Members of Parliament will greet President Jóhannesson when he arrives on Parliament Hill. Following the welcoming ceremony President Jóhannesson will meet privately with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Members of Parliament.
Parliament Hill
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Wreath Laying Ceremony
President Jóhannesson will participate in a wreath laying ceremony honoring Canada's veterans and those who died serving in the military.
National War Memorial
OPEN TO MEDIA
13:30-14:45 p.m.
Round Table on Language Preservation Hosted by the Governor General
His Excellency Guđni Th. Jóhannesson and Canada's Governor General will engage in a discussion hosted by Rideau Hall about the importance of safeguarding languages and opportunities for innovation when it comes to language promotion and preservation. Participants will explore domestic and international best practices.
Rideau Hall
CLOSED TO MEDIA ? Official photographers only
15:00 - 16:30 p.m
Round Table on Upstream Approaches to Protecting Youth Health and Well-being
His Excellency the President of Iceland, First Lady Eliza Reid and Canada's Governor General will attend an event organized by the Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Iceland's Planet Youth, which will focus on youth well-being and substance use prevention. The event will be moderated by Canada's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Theresa Tam. The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P., Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health will also be in attendance, and will offer the closing remarks.
Global Centre for Pluralism
OPEN TO MEDIA
18:00 - 20:30 p.m.
State Dinner
His Excellency Guđni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland and First Lady Eliza Reid will be the guests of honor at a State dinner hosted by their Excellencies Governor General Simon and Mr. Whit Fraser. Icelandic and Canadian dignitaries will also be in attendance.
Ballroom, Rideau Hall
MEDIA NOTE ? Open coverage of remarks and toasts at the beginning of the dinner.
Note for media:
- All media must be accredited by the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
- To guarantee access please confirm your attendance in advance via [email protected].
- Media are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the event's start time.
- Photos taken by the official photographer will be made available upon request via [email protected].
Press Contacts:
Meetu Madahar
Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs Inc.
+1 416 817 4668
[email protected]
Charlie Echlin
Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs Inc.
+1 647 649 7646
[email protected]
Una Sighvatsdóttir
Office of the President of Iceland
+354 895 8885
[email protected]
Follow the Embassy of Iceland on Facebook and on Twitter
SOURCE Embassy of Iceland
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