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Protocol and International Affairs
The Office of Protocol and International Affairs (OPIA) is located within the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia. The office is the District government's primary liaison with the diplomatic and international community for both ceremonial and substantive matters.
The District of Columbia has a thriving international presence and is home to over 170 embassies. The Office of Protocol and International Affairs has numerous responsibilities, including diplomatic receptions, courtesy visits, meetings with foreign officials, educational exchanges with foreign student groups, special events, and proclamations and letters honoring embassies' national days. Aside from the office's ceremonial functions, the Office of Protocol and International Affairs advises the Mayor on international issues. Working with the US State Department's Office of Foreign Missions, the office helps to provide a wide range of municipal services to our local embassies and members of the District's international community.
The Office of Protocol and International Affairs performs a variety of functions:
Courtesy Visits
An important ceremonial duty required by the Mayor and other District government officials is to receive foreign dignitaries, officials, and ambassadors. The Office of Protocol and International Affairs organizes and/or staffs these courtesy visits and meetings with foreign visitors.
During the first 6 months of his term, Mayor Fenty has met with the Queen of England, Ambassadors from countries as diverse as Azerbaijan, Italy, China, Great Britain, and Mauritius, and the Mayors of Zagreb, Prague, and Milan. The Office of Protocol and International Affairs receives many requests and we work with the Mayor?s scheduling team to respond to all.
International Conferences and Events
The Office of Protocol and International Affairs plans and organizes special events for the Mayor, such as the administration of the meeting of the Washington, DC Electoral College. The office also supports international events, conferences, and activities within the District of Columbia that are sponsored by other organizations and agencies.
Sister City Agreements
As the Capital of the United States of America, Washington, DC is in a unique position to partner with National Capitals throughout the world. Each nation?s capital has its own culture, character, history, challenges, and priorities, which it brings to the table through Sister City Agreements and Protocols of Friendship. These partnerships create opportunities for the partners to learn from each other in the areas of government administration, economic development, education, and cultural exchange.
The District of Columbia has signed Sister City Agreements or Protocols of Friendship with:
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Bangkok, Thailand (
since 1962*
,
renewed 2002*
)
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Dakar, Senegal (since 1980,
renewed 2006*
)
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Beijing Municipality, People?s Republic of China (since 1984,
renewed 2004*
)
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Brussels Capital Region, Belgium (since 1985,
renewed 2002*
)
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Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa (
since 2002*
,
renewed 2008*
)
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Paris, France (since 2000,
renewed 2005*
)
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Athens, Greece (
since 2000*
)
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Seoul Metropolitan Government, Republic of Korea (
since 2006*
)
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Accra, Ghana (
since 2006*
)
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Sunderland, United Kingdom ? George Washington?s Ancestral Home (
since 2006*
)
View
Sister City FAQs*
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