Sister Cities International’s President and CEO Leroy R. Allala expressed to all diplomats and government officials that the goal of this organization was to create friendships between cities but has grown into being a liaison of several subjects that involves the whole network of Sister Cities.
La Revista Binacional got to experience this in a 3-day event where many citizen diplomats, including mayors from several cities got together in a summit where ideas, business relations, and informative sessions that brought together innovative projects involving technology, economic development, immigration, energy, and green issues, as well as education, arts, culture, and gastronomy.
San Diego and Tijuana hosted this Sister Cities International US-Mexico Mayor’s Community Summit focusing on the importance of living in the border, immigration, the economic impact if one side suffers, as well as highlighting both cities’ strengths and beauty.
San Diego and Tijuana became sister cities in 1993. 30 years to celebrate this coming 2023. 30 years of being an example of what a binational community is all about.
CECUT in Tijuana was the place to be this Wednesday October 12th, where Mayor Montserrat Caballero and consuls Tom Reott (United States in Tijuana) and Carlos González Gutierrez (Mexico in San Diego) greeted every attendee.
Mayor Caballero was happy and pleased that Tijuana could offer all who attended a safe and secure visit, giving all of Tijuana and Baja California, an opportunity to promote the excellent industries, culture, gastronomy as well as future business development with all sister cities.
This binational region of San Diego and Tijuana has become so popular in the world that the World Design Capital in 2024 will be here. It is a fantastic opportunity to show everyone how sister cities collaborate, work together, and can live in perfect harmony despite the challenges that it may also bring.
“It is a recognition of the integration of both cities, their ability to innovate, to show the way towards how two cities whose brotherly relationship is extremely valid collaborate,” said Consul Carlos González.
Not all is work and business. An important part of this summit is the chance everyone has to network, enjoy each other and plan for future business that will make this organization grow and at the same time will benefit future business that result from summits like this one.
Hotel Quartz in Tijuana hosted a reception where craft beer, amazing food and wine from the region, and good music to close the summit’s second day and call it a hit!
On Wednesday, October 13th, Westin Hotel in San Diego received everyone with breakfast and remarkably interesting sessions regarding immigration and its potential problems or benefits.
The youth panel gave everyone their point of view on what future generations are expected to do in relationships between Mexico and U.S.
One important session was “Two Countries, Many Borders, One Technology,” where panelists gave their opinion and a preview of what the future holds for binational issues in a technology ridden world.
The summit ended at San Diego’s Central Library, where Eisenhower’s Legacy was commemorated and everyone got to say goodbye, ending this amazing summit with everyone leaving filled with optimism, positive vibes and looking forward to a brighter future where Sister Cities International continues to “connect globally” but “thriving locally.”
*Special thanks to IVETTE CASILLAS, Vice President of Chamber of Commerce in Tijuana and member of the Sub committee Logistics US-MEXICO Mayors’ Community Summit 2022, for providing photographs of Tijuana’s events.*
