Friday, November 8, 2019
Mission to Include Renewing Sister City Agreement with Addis Ababa and Forming Educational and Government Partnerships
(Washington, DC) – On Friday, November 8, Mayor Muriel Bowser will lead a diplomatic and trade mission to Ethiopia in partnership with the DC Chamber of Commerce to renew the District’s sister city agreement with Addis Ababa, promote DC as a destination for business and leisure visitors and establish trade relations with industries such as transportation, education, health care, local government infrastructure.
“We are continuing our efforts to reach beyond the borders of Washington, DC and establish relationships around the world,” said Mayor Bowser. “We particularly value our special relationship with Ethiopia, which has been strengthened by the substantial Ethiopian population in our city and region. This mission gives our delegation the opportunity to build relationships and explore innovative strategies to grow the District’s economy through tourism, transportation, health care, and more.”
The five-day mission, with a delegation of about 70 government and community stakeholders, will include meetings with business leaders, educational leaders, and government officials in Addis Ababa and Lalibela.
Mayor Bowser is scheduled to meet Ethiopian leaders, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who recently received the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, and President H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, the first woman to be elected president.
Mayor Bowser will join Addis Ababa Mayor Takele Banti in renewing the Sister City Agreement between the two capital cities. The agreement, which was formed in 2013, encourages collaboration to develop solutions that serves the residents of both cities.
In addition to Mayor Bowser, the District’s delegation includes:
The Honorable Brandon Todd, Ward 4 Councilmember, DC Council
The Honorable Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 5 Councilmember, DC Council
John Falcicchio, Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of the District of Columbia
Aly Badara Kaba, Director of the Office on African Affairs
Karima Woods, Director of Business Development and Strategy, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Andres Hayes, International Business Manager, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Chanda Washington, Director of Communications, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Gizachew Andargeh, Transportation Planner, DC Department of Transportation
Tsega Bekele, Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Housing and Community Development
Worku Mengesha, Information Technology Specialist, Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Content retrieved from: https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-lead-historic-diplomatic-and-trade-mission-ethiopia.