Houston MOTIA January Newsletter

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 diplomatic ties, attracting foreign direct investment, or assisting Houston businesses seeking markets abroad, our office works to realize Mayor Sylvester Turner’s vision of an ever more global Houston. MOTIA manages the City of Houston’s engagement with foreign governments, international organizations, global businesses, and the diplomatic community.
Learn more.

As we move ahead into 2021, in this month's newsletter we highlight some of the resources MOTIA offers and how we serve Houston locally and internationally.

The global trade division serves as the City's international business development office. We help identify international partners for growth opportunities, coordinate trade missions abroad, and facilitate inbound trade missions from foreign countries to Houston. We are committed to helping create jobs and economic opportunity for Houston residents by attracting foreign direct investment, building the startup and innovation ecosystem, and helping Houston area companies export and find new investment opportunities abroad. We serve as a resource and entry point for increased trade and development for foreign governments, international businesses, and Houston exporters. To learn more about Houston's past trade missions and other trade and economic development resources, please click here.

Houston is a leading global city, with diplomatic reach to all corners of the world and engagement with a wide range of international organizations. The International Affairs division leads Houston's engagement with foreign governments and Houston's 93 consulates, manages Houston's Sister Cities Association and the World Energy City Partnership, and helps coordinate collaboration with international organizations including Houston's work with the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Urban20, UCLG, and Sister Cities International. To learn more about Houston's Consular Corps, Sister Cities program, or questions on protocol, customs, or cross-cultural communication, please click here.

We are excited to announce that Mayor Sylvester Turner has become the next Chair of Climate Mayors, a nationwide coalition of mayors focused on tackling the challenge of Climate Action. In this role, Mayor Turner will help catalyze climate-forward actions taken at the local level, provide an example of climate action for leaders at all levels of government, and advocate for an economic recovery grounded in equity and environmental stewardship. Since becoming Houston’s mayor in 2015, Mayor Turner has launched Resilient Houston and the Houston Climate Action Plan, initiatives focused on transitioning the Energy Capital of the World to a clean energy future and increasing the resilience of communities across the City, prioritizing health, job creation, equity, and sustainability. Read the full press release here.

Founded in 2014, Climate Mayors is a peer-to-peer network of more than 470 U.S. mayors demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. Representing 48 states and 74 million Americans, the Climate Mayors coalition reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress.