35 hours of journey every approach and I will not lie…my physique remains to be determining what time zone it is through which is why I’m unsleeping posting at 3 am CST. But final week in Singapore was a kind of weeks… | Genesis D. Gavino

35 hours of journey every approach and I will not lie…my physique remains to be determining what time zone it is through which is why I’m unsleeping posting at 3 am CST.

But final week in Singapore was a kind of weeks that reminds you why the laborious journeys are price it.

I attended the World Cities Summit and Access
Singapore commerce mission with the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, and I left genuinely energized, not simply from the conversations, however from seeing what’s potential when cities present up.

Some issues that caught with me:

– Our metropolis has a narrative to inform and these world phases are the place it belongs. I used to be honored to share the stage with thought leaders from all over the world and speak about what Austin is doing in nature-based, regenerative, and resilient options.

– Local authorities is the place transformative innovation lives. We ought to be in these rooms. I’m more and more grateful for the National League of Cities (Clarence Anthony and JC Torres) and C40 Cities for his or her dedication to bringing U.S. cities to convenings like these.

– Diplomatic relationships ought to be nurtured. Briefly met and exchanged presents with Deputy Secretary General Yu Hung Lin from our sister metropolis Taichung, Taiwan. I final noticed them on a commerce mission to Taipei in March 2025. Also received to see Karl Sam Maquiling, a current YSEALI fellow from Iligan City who spent 6 weeks in Austin embedded in Austin Climate Action and Resilience.

– And the enterprise conversations? You cannot substitute face-to-face interactions. Leaders contemplating Austin for his or her U.S. growth have to know it is not only a market, it is a neighborhood that can wrap its arms round them and welcome them. That message lands in another way when breaking bread than it does over Zoom. Austin’s MOU with Enterprise Singapore is a mannequin for intentional financial growth that advantages each cities. This week was proof, and we’re simply getting began!

A BIG thanks to the next individuals for making this journey memorable:

Bert Wee | Center for Livable Cities
Hui Tong Goh, Johnny Teo and Kennie Ong | Enterprise Singapore
David Teo and Mark Duval | Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce

Now in the event you’ll excuse me, I’ll selfishly be doing all the things I can to get us a direct flight from Austin to someplace, anyplace in Asia! 35 hours isn’t any joke.