NATO, G8 meetings to be held back-to-back in McCormick Place, Chicago
The Chicago NATO and G8 meetings will take place back-to-back in McCormick Place between May 19 and 21, 2012, according to NATO, the U.S. State Department, and the city of Chicago.
In Brussels on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen spoke enthusiastically about the decision to hold both meetings in Chicago. The G8 summit, from May 19-20, will be hosted by President Barack Obama, and the NATO session, from May 20-21, by Rasmussen.
“Chicago is a city where many cultures come together, including many cultures of European allies,” said the Secretary General. “Chicago is a city built upon diversity and determination. And those values underpin NATO, too. So Chicago is a fitting host for the NATO summit as we endeavour to implement our vision of an alliance ready to tackle the security challenges of the 21st century.”
Secretary of State Clinton wholeheartedly seconded Rasmussen’s praise of Chicago. “I think everyone will not only enjoy being there because of the NATO summit but also the attractions of Chicago. And we are all looking forward to welcoming you. President Obama is very excited about being able to host the NATO summit in Chicago.”
Clinton went on to stress the critical importance of this year’s NATO and G8 Summits, in light of events like the Eurozone fiscal crisis, the Arab Spring, and the Afghanistan War.
Over 2,500 journalists are expected to arrive in Chicago over the three-day period. The organization of the summits is being overseen by World Business Chicago, a nonprofit organization which leads private sector G8 and NATO activities and operations, especially with regards to economic development.
“The NATO and G8 summits present an exciting opportunity to showcase our extraordinary city to the world,” Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “Hosting these summits puts the spotlight on Chicago as a city on the move and an unparalleled destination for travel, tourism and business.”
“This is really a tremendous opportunity for Chicagoans to show the world how we can come together in support of major events like we have done in the past,” added Lori Healey, Executive Director of the Chicago G8 NATO Host Committee.
This is the first time a NATO summit in the U.S. has been held outside Washington. As well, it is the first time since 1977 that both a G8 and a NATO meeting will be held in the same city.
More information about the planning and organization of the two summits can be found online on the Chicago G8 NATO Host Committee’s website: http://www.chicagog8nato.org/