Houston's Diplomatic Engagements- August '22

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

As the fall begins, I want to highlight a few of the major initiatives included in our upcoming events. The Houston-Africa Energy Summit will bring together African Heads of State and Ministers with Houston's leading energy companies to have a robust dialogue on the opportunities and challenges in African energy market. In October, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Houston Consular Ball, join Esbjerg in hosting the 2022 World Energy Cities Partnership Annual Meeting, and launch a Mayoral led trade mission to Japan.

This month, as Houston marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Houston's worse flooding in history, floodwaters continued pouring through vast swathes of Pakistan. More than 33 million people have been affected by the flooding, according to government officials and aid organizations, and estimates were that a full third of the country was underwater. We value the many contributions made by the Pakistani community in Houston and are privileged to have a sister city relationship with Karachi. People from around the world came to Houston's assistance in our time of need, and Mayor Turner is committed to doing the same for others.

The people of Houston are proud to have a strong relationship with Ukraine. Ukrainians' fight for freedom and democracy and their contributions to arts, culture, and commercial life have added significantly to our city and the world. Houston is enriched by the presence and contributions of our citizens of Ukrainian descent. In acknowledgment of the many achievements and accomplishments of the Ukraine people, the City of Houston congratulates and commends Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk, the Consulate General of Ukraine's staff, and the local Ukraine community for their tireless efforts strengthening Houston’s ties to Ukraine. Houstonians are honored to commemorate the Independence Day of Ukraine, and we express our best wishes for Ukraine's prosperity and the success of its people in the years to come.

Mayor Sylvester Turner welcomed H.E. Esteban Moctezuma, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, to discuss ways to increase bilateral trade and tourism, and highlight the importance of working together to empower and protect the rights of Mexican and Mexican American citizens. During his visit to Houston, H.E. Moctezuma met with members of the academic and business communities, civil organizations, and local authorities. The Ambassador spoke with scholars and students about academic exchanges and binational cooperation initiatives on innovation and education, including "Cátedra México", a joint initiative with Rice University to strengthen ties with Mexican educational institutions. He visited the ARCA-Continental plant in Houston- the first Coca-Cola production plant built in the U.S. in a decade- spoke with its directors about the contributions and impact of Mexican investments in Houston and Texas. Moreover, the Ambassador promoted the increase of trade between North American countries under multilateral mechanisms such as the USMCA and the High-Level Economic Dialogue.

Mayor Sylvester Turner welcomed Prince Amyn Aga Khan back to the City of Houston and recognized Prince Amyn as Houston's Honorary Citizen for his leadership and contributions benefitting communities around the world. During his visit, Prince Amyn reviewed progress on the construction of the Ismaili Center Houston, being built by the Ismaili Community across from Buffalo Bayou Park in the heart of Houston. The Ismaili Center will be a venue for educational, cultural, and social events, to encourage understanding and facilitate the sharing of perspectives across peoples of diverse backgrounds, faiths, and traditions.

UNICEF USA welcomed the City of Houston as the first city in the United States to become a Candidate for UNICEF Child Friendly City recognition. This designation reaffirms Houston’s dedication placing children's needs first, listening to youth’s challenges and recommendations, and advocating for and protecting child rights.

Houston is proud to champion the rights of children by designing a permanent system to make children an active, essential part of all the City’s policies, plans, and programs. The Mayor’s Office of Education leads the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and has worked collaboratively with city leaders, government agencies, and most importantly, youth and families to achieve this historic distinction.

Learn more: City of Houston Press Release

On behalf of Mayor Turner, the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Trade & International Affairs was pleased to honor Robert “Bob” L. Hopkins for his hard work and sacrifice during over 40 years of combined Federal Service with the US Navy, U.S. Department of State, and Peace Corps, which has directly benefited the Houston community. While serving in the Office of Foreign Missions Regional Office based in Houston, Mr. Hopkins provided support for foreign diplomats in an eight-state area. He was recognized for bravely leading rescue missions at several foreign consulates in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, supporting Houston’s diplomats during Hurricane Harvey, and helping officials and foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Hopkin’s invaluable role in supporting the diplomatic community through crises, and engaging with foreign nationals and consulates every day demonstrates the best of Houston, and has helped build Houston’s global reputation around the world. MOTIA deeply appreciates Robert Hopkins for the lasting impact on Houston and our diplomatic community, and wishes him the best on his retirement.

Mayor Sylvester Turner will host the City’s first-ever Houston-Africa Energy Summit bringing together African Heads of State, African Ministers, Houston-based energy CEOs, and business leaders from the African continent and the Greater Houston Area. Taking place September 22-23, 2022 the summit will promote new business opportunities, identify economic development needs, and discuss challenges for U.S. companies operating in Africa. The Summit will create a platform to discuss broad strategies and specific oil and natural gas extraction opportunities, how to build renewable energy capacity, programs to reduce carbon emissions, and how to create innovative power distribution systems in Africa.

For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs.

Learn more: City of Houston Press Release | Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities

The Consular Ball is not only an occasion to recognize Houston’s position as a leading global city and honor its Consular Corps—the third largest consular corps in the nation—but is also an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to forge new ties and strengthen existing ones with key industries, communities, and government leaders that make up Houston’s thriving international scene. Each year, the City chooses a new theme for the Consular Ball with significance to Houston. This year, we are celebrating Houston's City Diplomacy. Houston is a city that is moving forward, and as we rise together, we will do so in partnership with our international community.

We cordially invite you and your organization to take part in the celebration as we recognize Houston's diplomatic corps and Houston as one of the world's great global cities on Saturday, 8 October 2022. Contact Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how you can support this time-honored tradition.