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Welcome to TradeWinds — the official digital newsletter of the World Trade Center Washington, DC (WTCDC).
As we wrapped up a wonderful season, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of our premier events we had a pleasure partnering with in 2025. Recently, the WTCDC hosted and partnered on several key diplomatic and trade-focused events, including Meet the Ambassador receptions with H.E. Jean Bosco Barege of Burundi and H.E. Juan Gabriel Valdés Soublette of Chile, both held in collaboration with the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group.
We also partnered with JITTI to host the 2025 U.S.–Japan International Exchange Symposium, continued our longstanding collaboration with NCUSAR by hosting the 33rd Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, and convened leaders at the WITA Trade & Technology Summit at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Wishing everyone a successful and productive 2026!
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Meet the Ambassador:
H.E. Jean Bosco Barege
Ambassador of Burundi to the United States
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The WTCDC was delighted to host His Excellency Jean Bosco Barege, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi, for a networking reception held in collaboration with WIPG. | | |
Ambassador Jean Bosco Barege, a seasoned career diplomat who has led Burundian diplomatic missions in multiple countries, has served as Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the United States since presenting his credentials in February 2024. FUN FACT: His Excellency holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and is fluent in English, French, and proficient in Kiswahili.
During the reception, Ambassador Barege highlighted Burundi’s emerging economic landscape and strong investment potential, emphasizing opportunities across agriculture and agro-processing, mining and mineral value chains, manufacturing, ICT, energy, transport, and tourism. He reaffirmed Burundi’s commitment to public–private partnerships and international collaboration as key drivers of sustainable growth, job creation, and economic transformation.
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Explore Burundi
Discover the natural and cultural wonders of Burundi, from the crystal-clear shores of Lake Tanganyika—one of the world’s deepest and most biodiverse freshwater lakes—to the lush rainforests of Kibira National Park and the open savannas of Ruvubu National Park. Explore Burundi’s history and identity at the National Museum of Gitega, experience vibrant local traditions, and enjoy breathtaking sites such as Karera Waterfalls. Click below to discover the landscapes, heritage, and wildlife that make this East African nation a truly unforgettable destination.
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Meet the Ambassador:
H.E. Juan Gabriel Valdes Soublette
Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the United States
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WTCDC, in collaboration with WIPG, had the honor of hosting His Excellency Juan Gabriel Valdés Soublette, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the United States, for a special networking reception at RRBITC. | | |
In his remarks, Ambassador Valdés Soublette shared valuable insights into the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between Chile and the United States, highlighting key areas of cooperation including trade and investment, defense, science and technology, public health, and education. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term partnerships in advancing shared economic and strategic priorities.
FUN FACT: His Excellency earned his law degree in Chile and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Political Science at Princeton University, and during his career he has also been a visiting scholar and professor at institutions like Princeton, Notre Dame, and the Sorbonne.
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Explore Chile
Discover the natural and cultural diversity of Chile, a country that stretches from the arid landscapes of the Atacama Desert—one of the driest places on Earth—to the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia. Explore vibrant cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso, known for their history, architecture, and UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage. Experience Chile’s rich traditions, from Indigenous Mapuche influences to world-renowned wine regions, and encounter remarkable wildlife in national parks like Torres del Paine, as Chile offers a striking blend of landscapes, history, and cultural identity that makes it a truly distinctive destination.
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The WTCDC collaborated with the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA (JITTI), to host the 2025 U.S.–Japan International Exchange Symposium. The symposium explored strategies to rebuild and strengthen international relationships in the post-pandemic era, with particular emphasis on the importance of people-to-people engagement between Japan and the United States.
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Continuing our long-established partnership with the National Council on U.S.–Arab Relations (NCUSAR), the WTCDC hosted the 33rd Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference
on November 18. The conference convened senior officials from Arab and U.S. governments, the military, business communities, and academia to examine ongoing regional challenges and advance recommendations to strengthen collaboration between the United States and its partners in the Arab world. Established in 1983, NCUSAR is an American nonprofit educational and research organization dedicated to enhancing U.S. knowledge and
understanding of the Arab region.
| | WITA Trade & Technology Summit | | The WITA Trade & Technology Summit convened leaders from government and industry to examine the evolving intersection of trade, technology, national security, and geopolitics. Through fireside chats and expert panels, speakers explored digital trade frameworks, global tech leadership, AI governance, and collaboration with international partners. The half-day event underscored the growing importance of coordinated policy approaches to strengthen competitiveness and advance U.S. leadership in emerging technologies. You can view footage from the event here. |
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The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is a dynamic hub for government, commerce, culture and community, in the heart of the nation’s capital. As the first and only federal building dedicated to both public and private use, the Reagan Building is DC’s premier venue for hosting influential conferences and events and as the World Trade Center Washington, DC offers a powerful forum for international trade promotion. It's where leaders lead, where nations and cultures connect, and where events matter. Visit www.rrbitc.com for more information.
TCMA (A Drew Company) is the exclusive manager of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) on behalf of the U.S. General Services Administration. The RRB/ITC is the official World Trade Center Washington DC, and a premier conference and event venue with executive office space, attractions, dining, retail, parking and community activities.
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