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The City of San Diego’s International Affairs Board will host its 2025 Annual Forum on Thursday, focusing on how cross-border partnerships strengthen the region’s competitiveness, identity, and leadership on the global stage.
Titled “The Power of Partnerships,” the event will feature keynote remarks from Mayor Todd Gloria, who will discuss his administration’s efforts to elevate San Diego’s international profile and promote global engagement rooted in collaboration and innovation.
“While national politics can often feel strained, San Diego continues to demonstrate a model of global leadership rooted in pragmatism and partnership,” Gloria said. “Our City’s ability to work across borders and cultures reflects the best of American values — and it’s paying dividends for San Diegans as we grow our economy, attract investment, and strengthen our global identity.”
The forum will also include a panel of regional leaders from academia, business, and civic life who will share insights on how international collaboration drives economic opportunity and cultural exchange.
Ahead of the event, members of the Southern California diplomatic corps will participate in VIP tours of Cross Border Xpress and the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, two examples of the region’s international connectivity.
The forum will welcome a visiting delegation from Germany’s leading think tank, Atlantik-Brücke, led by former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, to explore potential collaborations in economic development and defense innovation.
“San Diego’s global reach is one of our greatest assets — and it’s built on the power of partnership,” said Hampton Brown, chair of the International Affairs Board. “From our airport to our port, our universities to our innovation economy, San Diego thrives because we engage globally and act collaboratively.”
The International Affairs Board Annual Forum serves as a platform for civic and global engagement, highlighting how international partnerships benefit local communities through education, sustainability, and economic growth.
The 2025 IAB Forum is sponsored by Cross Border Xpress, the Port of San Diego, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd.
