Québec tourist information Bienvenue chez nous! (Welcome to Québec) Residents of Belgium can call a toll-free telephone number to find out more information and plan their vacation in Québec: Tourisme Québec - 0 800 78 532

Premier Charest presents declaration on climate change to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon During the opening ceremony of Climate Week NYC on September 21, Premier Jean Charest spoke on behalf of States, provinces and regions in order to emphasize their concrete and crucial contribution in reducing greenhouse gases emissions. The ceremony was presided over by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and attended by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as well as government and business representatives.

Immigration: a France-Québec task force is created A joint declaration announcing the creation of a France-Québec migration movement and integration working group was signed in Paris on September 14 by the French Minister of Immigration and Integration, National Identity and Mutually-Supportive Development, Éric Besson, and the Québec Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Yolande James.

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Video Games: turning on the charm in Japan During his official mission to Japan from September 22 to October 1, the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, will attend the Tokyo Game Show to support Québec’s video game development industry in its prospecting efforts among the world’s foremost players in the field.

The Québec government announces a $60 million investment in the GSK infrastructure modernization project Brussels, September 11, 2009 – As part of a three-way joint project, the Québec and Canadian governments and GlaxoSmithKline inc. (GSK) have announced that $60 million in non-refundable funding, spread over three years, will be awarded to GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.

New technological cooperation agreement between Belgium and Canada St-Hyacinthe, Québec: September 3, 2009, CTT GROUP (Centre for Textile and Geosynthetic Technologies, recognized as a centre of excellence) in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada and CENTEXBEL (Scientific and Technical Research Centre of the Belgian Textile Industry) in Brussels, Belgium, have signed a new technological cooperation agreement. Jan Laperre, Director General of Centexbel, and Jacek Mlynarek, CEO of CTT Group, signed the agreement in the presence of Québec Government Representative in Brussels Christos Sirros.

Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers: in support of a green economy Premiers and governors attending the 33rd Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (CNEG/ECP) renewed their commitment to a greener, more environmentally friendly economy. Premier Jean Charest was in Saint John, New Brunswick to participate in the meeting, whose theme was “Close Collaboration – Stronger Economies.”

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Pierre Arcand completes a successful trip to Spain Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, delivered a positive report on his official visit to Spain (September 7-11), which included meetings with some 15 high-level political figures and visits to a variety of industrial and cultural centres. He also announced four new cooperation projects during his trip.

Québec’s Government Office in Barcelona celebrates its 10th anniversary and announces four innovative new projects with Catalonia Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Québec’s Government Office in Barcelona at a reception held during his official visit to Spain. The event was attended by a number of political figures from Catalonia and Québec, including Yvon Vallières, Speaker of the National Assembly, who headed a delegation of Québec lawmakers.

Québec City hosts francophone ombudsman convention Mediators and ombudsmen from 25 francophone countries converged on Québec City from September 7 to 9. Some 75 officials took part in the sixth convention of the Association des ombudsman et médiateurs de la Francophonie (AOMF), held around the theme “Mediators, politics and justice: Toward equitable access to rights.”

150th anniversary of the Consulate General of France in Québec City On September 8, political figures, historians and observers of France-Québec relations took part in the Symposium on the 150th anniversary of the Consulate General of France in Québec City. The event made it possible to mark the milestones of France-Québec relations since the institution of the French diplomatic post in Québec City in 1859 and determine new prospects for this fruitful collaboration.

Québec celebrates 10 years of presence in Berlin This year, the Québec Government Office in Berlin is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In fact, it was a Cultural Agency that the Québec government first opened in the German capital in 1999. This Agency later became an Office reporting to the Québec Government Office in Munich. Since then, Québec’s representation in Berlin has continued to promote Québec in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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André Bazergui wins OIQ'S 2009 Grand Prize for Excellence André Bazergui has won the 2009 Grand Prize for Excellence, the highest distinction granted by the Québec Order of Engineers (OIQ). Awarded annually since 1991, the prize honours exemplary professional achievement by a Québec engineer. Dr. Bazergui is known and recognized for his teaching, as well as for his research activities and involvement with professional associations.

Quebecer Clément Duhaime reappointed OIF Administrator Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), has reappointed Clément Duhaime to a second four-year term as OIF Administrator. Mr. Duhaime’s original appointment began on January 1, 2006 and will expire on December 31, 2009. “Ever since taking up his duties in January 2006, Mr. Duhaime has demonstrated a courageous, energetic, innovative and whole-hearted approach to the initiatives we have set out to achieve, not only in terms of cooperation but also in the areas of administration and finance. I am particularly pleased with the valued relationship and with the close, dynamic and effective cooperation we have established in a spirit of transparency. I have therefore decided to renew my confidence in him,” said Mr. Diouf.

2009 Francophone Games: some 70 athletes and artists from Québec The Québec delegation that will participate in the 6th edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie (Francophone Games) from September 27 to October 6 in Lebanon was introduced recently by the Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, and Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, Christine St-Pierre. This delegation is made up of some 70 athletes and artists who will represent Québec at the only international games where Québec is represented by its own team.

Minister Arcand in Spain: commercial and cultural activities on the program During a mission to Madrid, Barcelona and Tàrrega starting on September 7, the Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, will meet with no less than 15 high-profile political figures and participate in industrial and cultural tours. This mission was specifically planned as part of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Québec Government Office in Barcelona.

Québec embarks on developing new green energy sources The Québec government recently announced the establishment of a green energy technology development assistance program funded by an $8M budget. The two-year program is intended to stimulate research and innovation, foster an increase in the number of demonstrated new green energy technologies, and contribute to company growth and job creation.