Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to debut TradeWinds, our quarterly newsletter relaunched in a digital format. TradeWinds is published by the World Trade Center Washington, DC and is the official newsletter for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Highlighting trade events and activities at the Reagan Building, this digital newsletter provides program recaps, highlights strategic event partners as well as the people and policies that drive global commerce and cultural diplomacy.

In this issue of TradeWinds, we are pleased to highlight our collaborations with the trade community as we welcomed the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who addressed the importance of climate change as well as other timely global trends. We also worked with a leading think-tank group for an Ambassador Breakfast designed to inform, inspire and promote the appreciation of culinary traditions of the Mediterranean region, and promote the commercialization of the regions products within the United States. Lastly, we had the honor of hosting an intimate luncheon with His Excellency Jean-Arthur Régibeau's Ambassador of Belgium to the United States of America to discuss the latest of US-Belgian bilateral relations.

Additionally, our team had the opportunity to attend the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) 53rd General Assembly held in Accra, Ghana. This annual engagement allows us to stay connected with our dynamic network of sister World Trade Centers and global business community that supports international trade and investments. I am pleased to share the highlight reel here.

Lastly, as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary in our “Center of Influence”, we welcome you to stay connected, attend our in-person and hybrid programs and stay tuned as we announce new and exciting business services in the coming months.

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive summer season.

Warmest regards,

Allyson Browne McKithen

Commemorating 25 years:

Join us in celebrating the moments and milestones of RRB/ITC, learn more.

On Wednesday, April 12, 2023 the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) hosted Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Dr. Okonjo-Iwela’s remarks were preceded by a panel discussion on the "Role of the WTO in a Net Zero Future" featuring Angela Ellard, Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Kelly Milton, Assistant U.S.Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources, Jennifer A. Hillman, Professor from Practice at Georgetown Law Center, Linda Dempsey, Vice President of Public Affairs at CF Industries, and Maureen Hinman, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator.

Click on the video below for the full conversation.

The World Trade Center, Washington, DC collaborated with The Mediterranean Diet Roundtable (MDR)® on an Ambassadors Breakfast on May 9th. This program brought together several embassies (including Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, and Gabon among others) and agencies. The inspirational event featured two icons in the food industry: Phil Kafarakis, president of the International Food Manufacturers Association (IFMA), and Chef Fabrizio Facchini, Chair of Cooks Alliance Slow Food USA. 

The dynamic presentations of the speakers illustrated how the world is changing after the pandemic, the newly redefined eating rituals, current consumers’ trends and behaviors, and how the regulatory/policy approach can change the food landscape in the U.S. Chef Facchini explained, in particular, the need of capitalizing on the Mediterranean Diet, not only as an inclusive, delicious, and healthy eating pattern, but also as a sustainable choice for the planet. Information about the MDR think tank can be found here.