TITLE
Recommendation to approve the establishment of a Sister City affiliation between the City of Long Beach and the City of Mombasa, Kenya.
DISCUSSION
Sister City relationships are incredibly beneficial to our community as they provide outstanding opportunities for exchange of culture, history, and friendship.
In order to further promote international goodwill, understanding and expanded economic relations, the City of Long Beach has been requested to form a Sister City affiliation with the City of Mombasa, Kenya.
The City of Mombasa, Kenya, shares much in common with the City of Long Beach. Mombasa is a coastal city located on Kenya's eastern coastline, bordering the Indian Ocean, popular for its beaches, diverse marine life, worldclass hotels and friendly people. With a population of half a million and the largest port in East Africa, the City of Mombasa is filled with tourism, historical attractions, entertainment activities and diverse culture.
I have worked closely with the Mombasa-Long Beach Sister Cities Formation Committee of the Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. to bring this matter forward.
At the October 16, 2007, board meeting, the Board of the Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. expressed unanimous support to recommend that the City of Long Beach establish a Sister City relationship with the City of Mombasa, Kenya.
Consul General Nyambura Kamau has stated the desire of the Kenyan government to establish the proposed Sister City relationship.
The Sister City relationship would provide a mutually beneficial exchange and dialogue for business opportunities, port strategies, and appreciation of African heritage.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
BONNIE LOWENTHAL, VICE MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBER, FIRST DISTRICT