Professor Muhammad Yunus was given the honorary citizenship of the French capital as the annual Global Social Business Summit (GSBS) kicked off in Paris on Monday.
Paris Mayor Ms Anne Hidalgo formally handed over the citizenship to Professor Yunus during the inaugural session of the summit.
The eighth annual GSBS in Paris started for the first time bringing together more than 700 delegates from around the world.
According to a press release issued by Yunus Centre in Dhaka, the Paris event, with participants from private sector, civil society, governments and academia, will foster discussion, collaboration and the sharing of best social business practices and its positive impact.
The Paris Mayor while inaugurating the summit acknowledged and thanked Professor Muhammad Yunus' contribution for the entire world through his work towards poverty alleviation, gender equality and environment.
She appreciated Yunus’ initiative to bring sports and social business together by supporting Paris to host the Summer Olympic 2024 as the first ever social business centric Olympic.
The Mayor in her speech also reaffirmed her commitment towards turning Paris into the world’s social business city.
Among others, Queen Sofia of Spain, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Theresa, Deputy Mayor of Paris Antoinette Guhl, UN Asst. Secretary General for SDGs Thomas Gass and President of World Business Council Perer Bakker were also present at the inauguration of the summit.
