A worker pushes a cart laden with plants and tea through the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, site of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. Colter Peterson
By Deseret News
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The 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference, which kicks off Monday at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. The three-day conference marks the first time it has been held outside of New York when the United States has been host. Paris, Mexico City and Melbourne, Australia, are among cities that have hosted the conference in the past. This year’s event will focus on sustainable cities and communities. The topic is among the 17 sustainable development goals the U.N. General Assembly adopted in 2015. Others include ending hunger and poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting decent work and economic growth — all to be achieved by 2030. It will be the largest international event the city has hosted since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

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Jose Fernandez Alcala, left, Maria Rodriguez and Paloma Irujo, who are from Spain, talk inside the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. Beginning Monday, the convention center will host the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference, which is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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Banners for the 68th United Nations Civility Conference hang in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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A group of conference attendees walks through the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, site of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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A worker rides an escalator at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, site of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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Workers walk through the main event space filled with chairs as they prepare for the start of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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A worker drives a lift past a display screen as crews prepare for the start of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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Madison Ross, of New York, walks up a set of stairs at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, site of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A conference attendee walks through the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, site of the 68th U.N. Civil Society Conference. The event, which kicks off Monday, is expected to draw 6,000 participants from around the world. | Colter Peterson
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