News release: February 16, 2021
Region of Peel receives UN designation
Brampton, ON. (February 16, 2021) – The Region of Peel has been designated as one of the United Nation’s Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE), a global network that promotes sustainable development.
There are 175 RCEs worldwide, and just six of them are in Canada. Peel is among four regions added to the RCE, by a committee of peers at a recent virtual meeting. The other newly approved regions are Greater Phoenix (Arizona), Netherlands and Malaysia.
There are five priority areas of action for RCEs:
- Advance policy by mainstreaming education for sustainable development;
- Transform learning and training environments;
- Build capacities of educators and trainers;
- Empower and mobilize youth; and
- Advance sustainable solutions at the local level.
RCE Peel will focus on improving goods movement and sustainable transportation. RCE Peel’s vision is to form a collaborative entity that will help create a healthy and sustainable community for life for Peel residents and businesses. RCE Peel will work with partners to inform and implement strategies, opportunities, programs and educational endeavours to support the sustainable movement of people and goods in order to increase the climate change resiliency and allow for economic prosperity and a high quality of life.
The Region of Peel received letters of support from four Universities (York, McMaster, Ryerson and University of Toronto), Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, Pembina Institute, Loblaws Group of Companies, Ecosource, Supply Chain Canada and others. The cities of Mississauga, Brampton and the Town of Caledon have also supported this initiative through their participation as members of the Peel Goods Movement Task Force.
The RCE designation recognizes Regional Council’s leadership towards community sustainability as referenced in the Official Plan, Long Range Transportation Master Plan, Climate Change Action Plan and ensures that Peel’s communities are complete and sustainable for residents and businesses.
RCE networks are formed within broader geographic region/community organizations with strong education sector linkages. The RCE network stakeholders gather for the purpose of building capacity to address sustainable development goals and how best to support innovative sustainable development initiatives through research and awareness while accounting for regional characteristics.
"On behalf of Regional Council, I am delighted that the Region has been designated as one of the United Nation’s Regional Centres of Expertise. The establishment of an RCE in Peel will allow the Region and its partners to collaborate with the global community for the mutual growth and development of all communities. Peel Region’s location at the heart of the Toronto and Hamilton Area has resulted in a community heavily centered around transportation. Given its decades of experience as a leader in the goods movement, Peel has much to share and learn from a global perspective."
–Nando Iannicca, Regional Chair
Media contacts
Gloria Leonardis
Communication Specialist
Region of Peel
Tel: 905-460-7547
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
