Portland's International Vision

An Evening with the Director of the Office of International Relations for the City of Portland

Did you know that the City of Portland has an Office of International Relations? What are the Mayor’s international responsibilities? Noah Siegel, the Director of International Relations, has been tasked with developing international strategies for the city. In addition to overseeing Portland’s nine sister city relationships and other cultural and educational activities, Mr. Siegel coordinates the city’s international trade and investment efforts, working closely with partners at the Portland Development Commission and the State of Oregon.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Noah Siegel served as a political and economic officer in the U.S. Foreign Service. With a focus on the Middle East, Mr. Siegel served tours in Yemen and Israel, and worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C. His specific areas of expertise included international banking, economic development, and democratic reform. Mr. Siegel speaks fluent French, Hebrew and Arabic.

What are the successes and challenges encountered by the City in developing its international footprint? What are the goals of the International Relations Office? Is Portland large/ significant enough to have an international strategy? Come find out!