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Happy Birthday Houston!
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Message from the Director
Dear Friends of the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA),

On August 30, MOTIA celebrated the anniversary of the founding of the City of Houston from the location where the Allen brothers arrived - Allen’s Landing - Houston’s first port, a thriving commercial hub and a symbol of our city’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Houston has grown beyond its founding 185 years ago, and has expanded to be more than just the Energy Capital of the World.  Houston is  home to the largest medical center in the world and a global hub for medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and health research.  Houston has the largest port in the U.S. for foreign tonnage, a rapidly growing and internationally recognized innovation ecosystem, and Houston remains the center for manned space-flight at the NASA Johnson Space Center and most recently, Houston is home to one of the world’s only truly urban commercial spaceports.

What started as a trading post on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou has evolved into the global capital for energy, life sciences, manufacturing, logistics and aerospace and aviation. This month, once again, we (Houstonians) showcase what Houston has to offer on the global stage.




Christopher Olson

Director, Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs

Mayor Sylvester Turner Welcomes Dignitaries to Houston for OTC
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the world’s largest oil and gas industry conference, took place in Houston in August as a hybrid event with concentration on the energy transition.  Houston welcomed energy professionals and government dignitaries from around the world to participate as both speakers and exhibitors to shed light on the latest technological advancements and innovation in the energy industry.

Amongst the many dignitaries present, Mayor Sylvester Turner welcomed His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy of the  Republic of Ghana, The Honorable Fahad Al-Jubeir, Mayor of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and a delegation of trade representatives from Canada led by The Honorable Rachel McCormick, Consul General of Canada.

"Strong international relationships are of the utmost importance to our city.  As we welcome our friends to Houston, please know that whatever you need, you can find in Houston.  It is my hope that your trip will further strengthen the bonds between Houston, and lead to new opportunities for cooperation."-Mayor Sylvester Turner
Houston Welcomes the New Dean of the Houston Consular Corps
Mayor Sylvester Turner welcomed the new Dean of Houston Consular Corps, The Honorable Rodolfo Coronado, Consul General of Peru in Houston. With more than 90 different nations represented, Houston is home to the third largest consular corps in the United States. Our active and dedicated Consular Corps is among the communities that make Houston a great global city, and we are excited to welcome Consul General Coronado's selection as the new Dean.
Paying It Forward: Earthquake and Hurricane Relief Response to Haiti
In response to the recent natural disasters in Haiti, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the Houston's Paying It Forward Earthquake and Hurricane Relief Response to Haiti. The City of Houston partnered with Houston Haitians United and the National Association of Christian Churches (NACC) Disaster Services to collect supplies for Haitians recovering from the major earthquake and storm that recently devastated the country.

"After Hurricane Harvey and other major natural disasters devastated our city and displaced our families and friends, people from across the globe volunteered their time, financial donations, and supplies," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Houston is the proud home to a large Haitian community, and today, we are called to pay it forward to our neighbors in Haiti who are currently experiencing great suffering and loss."   Press Release
International Renewable Energy Congress and Business Conference
During the International Renewable Energy Congress and Business Conference, representatives of World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) Aberdeen, Barranquilla and Houston discussed the role cities play in the energy transition with a focus on issues related to sustainability (Energy Security, Energy Equity and Environmental Sustainability), on the progress made by the energy sector on these areas and how it links to the energy transition. Throughout the insightful panel session, initiatives across these cities were discussed as well as the need for collaboration between cities and the importance of engaging citizens.

Mayor Jaime Pumarejo of Barranquilla also expressed the importance of partnerships between energy cities such as the WECP during the energy transition by explaining that “if we all aggregate ourselves and play our part, we will be able to get there quicker. We can do stuff that is actionable, that is real and that makes a difference." We thank Sir Phillip Lowe for the session, and to the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crocket, Mayor Pumarejo, and Director Chris Olson for their insights.
Discussing the SDGs at the Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit 2021
In 2019, Houston served as the host for the in-person Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) at Rice University.  On August 12, Mayor Sylvester Turner and MOTIA Director Chris Olson participated at this year's virtual YLS Public Forum to introduce SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Houston provided insights and examples from our city, highlighting our city's first Climate Action Plan and Resilient Houston strategy. With the theme “Solving Today’s Problems to Build A Better Tomorrow," YLS aims to highlight the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) to provide a roadmap to tackle global challenges. The date of the YLS Public Forum also commemorated International Youth Day as designated by the United Nations. As Houston is incredibly proud to be a part of this journey with the youths, Mayor Turner also proclaimed August 12 as International Youth Day in Houston.

Thank you to Sister Cities International (SCI) for their continued dedication and commitment in upholding the mission of promoting peace, mutual respect, and prosperity through friendship and people-to-people exchanges. Through the Summit, SCI empowered young leaders to think globally, spurring a new generation of citizen diplomats and volunteers to uphold the sister cities mission. This Summit allowed high-school aged youth around the world to meet like-minded peers and mentors to develop decision making and leadership skills, including but not limited to positive and visionary change, resourcefulness, and community cohesiveness to bring diverse community elements together.

Health Tech Beyond Borders - Harnessing Healthcare’s Regional Resources: Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia
The Mayor's Office of Trade & International Affairs joined Health Tech Beyond Borders for an online summit that offered business opportunities and global collaboration focused on innovation and technology in medicine between companies in Chile and the United States, and explored the future impact of new technologies in the healthcare sector.

Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center —the largest medical complex in the world with over 8 million patient visits per year and home to the world's largest children hospital and cancer hospital. TMC delivers one baby every 20 minutes and begins one surgery every 3 minutes. The United States is the primary destination for Chilean exports of medical devices, representing more than 25% of total Chilean exports in this sector. Did you know that 13% of Chile’s startups are healthcare related?

Missed it? Learn what Houston has to offer as a healthcare hub in the world and gain insight into Chile's latest medical technology here.
Houston Consular Ball 2021
The Houston Consular Ball is the Mayor’s Premier White-Tie Gala, honoring the 90-plus consulates and the international communities that are represented in Houston. This October 16, Consular Ball returns to highlight our city's rich and storied history spanning over six decades and showcasing all that Houston has to offer. This annual event is aligned with Houston International Initiatives (HII), with proceeds utilized by HII for the city’s international outreach and education. For more information about the event and how to participate as a sponsor or attendee, please contact MOTIA@houstontx.gov
We invite everyone to attend the 2021 Asian Chamber Trade Forum and Business Expo including the Rising 10 Awards Friday, September 10th.  This year’s theme, “Rebound, Recover, Reengage”, will provide essential business tools and cover topics to help reengage customers as the country and our international border open back up for business. Listen to seven trade region representatives talk about trade opportunities and visit the business expo with over 50 exhibitors. During the luncheon, listen to opportunities from the City of Houston in driving trade opportunities along with bringing more visitors to Houston.
MOTIA's Trade and International Affairs Calendar
Visit our calendar page to learn more about Houston's trade and international events, or complete the form to have your next trade or international affairs event featured on MOTIA's Trade and International Affairs Calendar.

 
The Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA) serves as the City’s international liaison, forming an important link between Houstonians and the world. Whether welcoming heads of state, establishing numerous diplomatic ties, attracting foreign investment or assisting Houston businesses seeking markets abroad, our office works to realize Mayor Sylvester Turner’s vision of an ever more global Houston. Learn more

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Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA)
Houston City Hall
901 Bagby St, 4th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

motia@houstontx.gov
www.houstontx.gov/motia



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