UN Ambassadors from Asia Plan April Visit to Oregon

In competing globally, “The core issue is building international connections for companies within a region,” said Dr. Fred Phillips in another SAO newsletter. A unique opportunity for establishing just such connections with Oregon’s most important Asian trade partners will be presented in Portland April 24 and 25, 2006.

Ambassadors to the United Nations from China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Laos will be in Oregon to learn more about our state and share information about their countries. Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Oregon and Goli Ameri, Senior Advisor to the UN Mission, the Ambassadors will participate in a number of events to provide business, government and civic leaders an opportunity to connect with these very high level leaders.

In developing the agenda for the visitors, Oregon hosts made great efforts to incorporate cultural, historical, trade and substantive elements into the program to give the Ambassadors an indelible introduction to Portland and the surrounding area. The Ambassadors will have a business roundtable breakfast discussion on Oregon with Governor Kulongoski, tour Nike, attend a World Affairs Council luncheon featuring Christopher Burnham, the UN Undersecretary for Management, participate in an Oregonian Editorial Board Meeting and attend an evening reception to meet the greater Portland community at the Portland Art Museum, among other activities. The following day, the Ambassadors will participate in a town hall with university students and will then visit the Columbia Gorge to enjoy Oregon’s natural beauty.

A variety of individuals, companies and organizations have contributed to making this unusual this trip a reality. The Ambassadors to the UN are often times the highest level diplomat in their respective countries, and this is the first time that a group this size has left New York to learn about and make connections with another part of the U.S. It is an unique opportunity to introduce Oregon in a very intimate way to the representatives of the countries that are most important to the future of our state and our country.

Persons interested in meeting the Ambassadors can register for the various events at the Council website at http://www.worldoregon.org/or by calling 503-274-7488.