Newsletter: Houston MOTIA September 2021 Highlights

Dear Friends of the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA),

September brought together the world's leaders to the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York under the theme ‘Building Resilience through Hope’. Numerous heads of state stopped in Houston before and after their UN meetings to build additional relationships with the City in the areas of energy, health care, and infrastructure development.

Our team prepares to host the annual Consular Ball where we will honor the 90-plus consulates and the international communities that are represented in Houston. As the energy capital of the world, Houston continues to evolve as we look towards the future. And through the annual Consular Ball, with this year's "Green" theme we continue to uphold the tradition of celebrating Houston’s unique history, diversity, innovation and ecology, and honor the valuable connections and friendships we share with the Consular Corps.

Mayor Sylvester Turner presided over a
ceremony at Market Square Park

This month the world commemorated the 20th Anniversary of September 11th terrorist attacks. We will never forget where we were on that day, and those who were lost. For me personally, I was an officer working on the Navy Staff in the Pentagon on 9/11, and later went on to serve in Afghanistan. To honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks and the sacrifices of service members and first responders that day and since, flags flew at half-staff in Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner presided over a ceremony at Market Square Park which included a moment of silence.

On September 18, Mayor Sylvester Turner welcomed His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, to the City of Houston. Houston and Ghana share strong ties, with trade valued at $300.7 million in 2019 and a strong Ghana community in Houston. During the bilateral visit, MOTIA in collaboration with the Texas West Africa Chamber of Commerce hosted a Houston-Ghana business and investment forum to highlight key economic opportunities. The forum brought together a diverse group of Houston business leaders and stakeholders to discuss trade and investment opportunities in a variety of sectors including healthcare, technology, energy, and education.

On behalf of all Houstonians, we would like to thank the President and his distinguished delegation for visiting Houston, as we look forward to hosting President Akufo-Addo again to our great city in the near future.

On September 24, the City of Houston welcomed His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, and his delegation composed of H.E., Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, H.E, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness, and H.E. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Ambassador of Botswana to the U.S.

Botswana is an important partner with Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine for their shared mission to advance health care equity through innovative collaboration in health care, education, and research. The Baylor College of Medicine helped establish the first medical school in Botswana in 2006, but the relationship with Botswana began earlier with the Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Texas Children’s Hospital. Botswana was identified as the location for the first BIPAI clinic in sub-Saharan Africa in 2000. This visit renewed the commitment between the two institutions with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which includes an exchange of learners, researchers, and members of the academic staff as well as the establishment of sub-specialty fellowships in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Botswana that will train pediatricians. Additionally, as part of the visit to Houston, the delegation toured the vaccine labs at Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.

“We acknowledge the partnership that has been going on for a strong 20 years where thousands of children have been treated thanks to your professional expertise and the partnership that’s been built with Baylor, Texas Children’s Hospital and Bristol-Myers Squibb along with the government of Botswana,” said His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana.

Read more here.

As a formal engagement group to the G20, Houston together with major cities from around the world joined host cities Rome and Milan for the 2021 Urban20 Summit, a culmination of a years worth of activities to highlight urban challenges to national governments. This year was particularly relevant as urban centers continue on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and the health and economic consequences of this global health crisis.

Building on the legacy of the previous Urban 20 Summits, U20 Mayors and representatives of G20 cities called on G20 leaders to work together to achieve a green and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening local public service provision, accelerating climate action, and fostering social inclusion and prosperity within communities. Houston is proud to have been a core U20 member since the engagement group's inception in 2018, and hosted the U20 working meeting in 2020. Learn more about this year's U20 activities and final communique here.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and the MOTIA team attended the 2021 The Asian Chamber of Commerce in Houston (ACC) Trade Forum and Business Expo: Rebound, Recover, Reengage, which included the Rising 10 Awards. The ACC in Houston has been doing fantastic work for Houston and the Asian community in the Houston region by addressing the needs of Houston’s Asian population for over 30 years, increasing business with the Asian community and building relationships both locally and abroad by connecting Asian countries with Houston.

The Rising 10 award ceremony exemplified the important work that ACC does through highlighting 10 Asian owned businesses that have excelled over the past 3 years. Read more here.

With Latinos comprising almost 40% of the population of Houston, this month we recognize that Hispanic heritage is American heritage and celebrate the boundless contributions the community has made that make Houston stronger and more vibrant. From the lively festivals and music to the variety of delicious restaurants throughout the city, Houston is proud to celebrate Hispanic heritage.

Houston City Hall and the 6 light bridges that span I-69 shined blue, red and white colors honoring the Bicentennial of Independence in 1821 celebrating the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston proudly presents the 23rd Annual Jesse H. Jones Award Luncheon honoring the 2021 International Citizens of the Year. The WAC's premier event of the year will bring together leaders in education, business, finance, and global affairs. The 2021 Jesse H. Jones Awards Luncheon celebrates Houston's global leadership – the business and community trailblazers actively elevating Houston's global standing. Join the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston in celebrating our international city! If you are interested in attending, please click here.