Mexico City, Mexico, to stage 2015 IPC General Assembly

Mexico City will stage the 17th International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in November 2015 it has been announced, the first time the event has been staged in Central America.

Taking place in the Mexican capital between 14-15 November, the event will be organised by the IPC with the support of the Mexico City Government who will assist with venue management, accommodation, transport and volunteers.

The General Assembly is the supreme authority of the IPC which meets every two years. It last met in November 2013 in Athens, Greece, where elections for the IPC Governing Board took place.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We would like to thank the Mexico City Government and the Mexican Paralympic Committee for their support in organising's November General Assembly.

"It will be the first formal gathering of the IPC membership since last year's gathering and Silver Jubilee celebrations in Berlin, Germany, and a great opportunity for members to approve and discuss policies to take the Paralympic Movement forward.

"It is fitting that the General Assembly is held in the Americas this year for the first time since Salt Lake City staged the event in 1999. It will come just three months after the conclusion of the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and 10 months prior to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games."

Horacio de la Vega, General Director of the Sports Institute of Mexico City, said: "It is a true honour for Mexico City to have the opportunity to welcome the highest authorities of Paralympic sport. This event sets a precedent of which all the citizens of this great City will be proud. It is as well a great occasion to demonstrate the city's commitment with the development of Paralympic sports. Finally, we must say that it reinforces the actions that have been taken in favour of equity and free access for people with disabilities.

"Welcome to Mexico City to each and every one of the members of the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly. It will be without a doubt an unforgettable experience for all."

More than 300 attendees are expected at the event and all National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Regional Organisations, International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled and friends will be invited to attend.

The Paralympic Sport and Media Awards, in conjunction with Allianz, will also take place in Mexico City, coinciding with the IPC General Assembly. The 2015 awards will recognise and honour the performances of athletes, teams, officials and the media from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

For more information, contact:

Craig Spence, IPC Director of Media and Communications

e-mail: craig.spence@paralympic.org

call +49-228-2097-230

visit www.paralympic.org.

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