Montréal: 1st in Canada for international organizations
Montréal is home to the most international organizations in Canada.
As a mid-point between North America and Europe, Montréal is a multinational hot spot that is not only the most multilingual city on the continent, but also a leader in international meetings. With all these credentials, it might come as no surprise that Montréal is home to the most international organizations in Canada.
Montréal’s top sectors attract the world’s attention
With 70 international organizations (IOs), including six UN headquarters, Montréal ranks 3rd in the Americas for the number of IOs. As a world civil aviation capital and sustainable development hub, Montréal is home to many IOs in both of these sectors. Others notable specializations include life sciences, education, international development and design.
What are some of the most notable IOs in Montréal?
Big players span the city's top industries, drawing workers from one of the world’s highest ranked educational systems. They include:
- The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)
- The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
The full list of International Organizations in Montréal is something we’re proud to share.
Montréal is a United Nations headquarter city
As one of the United Nations’ eight headquarter cities (second in North America), Montréal is a highly sought-after address for the consulates of the world. With 46 consulates general and 33 consulates, 79 countries have presence here, ranging from Algeria to Yemen. The city’s well-connected Montréal-Trudeau Airport also makes getting here and away a snap with direct service to over 150 destinations across Canada, the USA and overseas.
Home to an especially significant UN program
The United Nations program for human settlements and sustainable urban development — the UN-Habitat — recently opened a new project office in Montréal. The office is responsible for the Global Programme on Green, Resilient Sustainable Cities and is the sixth UN office located in Montréal. UN-Habitat aims to leverage the latest advances in science and technology to support the sustainable development of cities.
Montréal was chosen for its leading-edge AI and urban development ecosystems, academic institutions and its pool of international organizations. Cooperation with local players so far have included researchers at McGill University, Concordia University, and Mila - Québec’s AI Institute (MILA).