Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs

Congratulations to Ambassador Chase Untermeyer on his appointment as the inaugural Diplomat-in-Residence at the Houston Public Library.

As the first public library in the nation to establish a Diplomat-in-Residence program, the Houston Public Library continues to demonstrate its commitment to international engagement, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning.

This innovative initiative will help strengthen connections between Houston’s diverse communities and the world beyond our borders. Best wishes to Ambassador Untermeyer and the Houston Public Library on this exciting new chapter.

🇮🇹 Italy’s National Day Celebration in Houston 🇮🇹

Honored to join the Consulate General of Italy in Houston in celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Italian Republic and the values of democracy, freedom, and unity that have guided Italy since 1946.

City Council Member Mary Nan Huffman recognized the strong and growing ties between Italy and Houston and presented the City of Houston proclamation on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire. MOTIA’s Senior Trade Officer, Zeljka Momirovic, highlighted the significance of the new direct flight between Rome and Houston, creating new and expanding existing opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Thank you to Consul General Mauro Lorenzini for his continued partnership and commitment to advancing the relationship between Italy and Houston.

Italy is one of Houston and Texas’ major international trade partners with robust bilateral trade exceeding $10 billion annually. More than 40 Houston-based subsidiaries operate in Rome, and the energy, aerospace, and medical sectors act as major anchors for bilateral investment.

The Australian Gala brought together business and community leaders to celebrate the growing Australian presence in Texas and the strong relationship between Australia, the United States, and Houston.

Hosted by the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Texas and the Australian Consulate-General, Houston, the event highlighted the importance of international partnerships. Houston is proud of its sister-city relationship with Perth, Australia, which began in 1984.

International Affairs Chief Gigi Lee attended on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire.

Yesterday MOTIA joined the Asian Chamber of Commerce Houston (ACC) for an afternoon of connection and community celebrating AAPI Heritage Month.
Chief Gigi Lee welcomed attendees on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire and highlighted the invaluable contributions the AAPI community continues to make to Houston’s landscape.
Special thanks to Sydney Dao, Board Chair of the Asian Chamber Foundation for her remarks and to Paul, Co-Director of ACC for his informative presentation on AAPI data.
Thank you to those who attended and contributed to this event and the AAPI community in Houston.

Houston was proud to welcome attendees from across the continent for the 30th Annual Convention of Ogbakor Ikwerre USA/Canada, Inc., celebrating the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of the Ikwerre community while highlighting the diversity that continues to shape our global city.

Kay Elegbede, MOTIA’s International Community Relations Manager, had the pleasure of attending and representing the City of Houston at this special gathering.

The AmCham Argentina delegation returned to Houston City Hall for a second consecutive year! MOTIA Chief Gigi Lee welcomed the group on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire and emphasized the importance of strong international partnerships. This year’s visit was especially impactful, featuring presentations and insights from the City of Houston’s Planning & Development, Economic Development, and Houston Airport System teams.
Thank you to AmCham Argentina for another meaningful and successful exchange!

Consul General Azzam Alasfoor of Kuwait stopped by before departing Houston for his new role as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Since the opening of the Consulate General of the State of Kuwait in Houston in 2024, Consul General Alasfoor has played an important role in strengthening the diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Kuwait and Houston.

While he will be missed in Houston, we congratulate him and wish him continued success in Korea. 🇰🇼🇺🇸

AAPI Heritage Month celebration — “Together We Shine: A Multi-Cultural Celebration.”

This incredible event featured performances representing 10 different Asian countries and celebrated unity, cultural understanding, and the shared values that continue to strengthen the multicultural fabric of the United States.

Thank you to Alice Chen, Stafford Mayor Pro Tem, for producing such a vibrant and successful celebration in partnership with the Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce and Asia Society Texas Center.