Cooperation on Infrastructure
OVERVIEW
From August 28 to September 4, we welcomed a group of leaders from the Indo-Pacific region to explore the dynamic landscape of the American infrastructure industry. This program highlighted the collaboration between investors, contractors, and regulators in developing sustainable infrastructure projects while ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering innovation. During their visit to New Orleans, visitors engaged with our city's emergency preparedness and sustainable development efforts, focusing on flood protection, grid resilience, and resource management. Their meetings offered a comprehensive view of how New Orleans integrates diverse strategies to enhance community resilience and sustainability in the face of natural disasters.
PARTICIPANTS
Mr. Timothy James HUGGINS | Australia
Assistant Secretary, Connectivity and Infrastructure Policy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Abhishek Vijaykumar AGARWAL | India
Senior Specialist (Direct), NITI Aayog
Mr. Dorjee Pintso BHUTIA
| India
Assistant Engineer, Culture Department, Government of Sikkim
Mr. Akihiro MIZUSHIMA
| Japan
Deputy Assistant Director,Transportation Group, Infrastructure Management Dept., Japan International Cooperation Agency
Mr. Yuya UEDA
| Japan
Assistant Director, Office for Loan Project Technical Examination, Infrastructure Engineering Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency
Dr. Somsanouk PATHOUMVANH | Laos
Director of Lao Japan Technical Training Center. Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos
Ms. Fathimath Shaana FAROOQ | Maldives
Director General, Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure
Ms. Katherine Anna HALLIBURTON | New Zealand
Unit Manager (Acting) Infrastructure and Transport, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Elizah Tava GELE | Papua New Guinea
Principal Project Manager, Department of Works
Ms. Kanthima SASING | Thailand
Director of Strategy Management Unit
ACTIVITIES
This group of Infrastructure professionals attended meetings including a presentation from Philip May, President & CEO of Entergy Louisiana, with discussions on Louisiana’s energy systems and plans for storm resiliency, an extensive meeting with members of the US Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans Branch, covering the history of the organization and operational considerations at every level, a tour of the Bucktown Living Shoreline project and discussion with ecologist David Baker, a tour and joint meeting with Avondale Global Gateway, the Southeastern Wind Coalition, and Gulf Wind Technology, a presentation on the security threats facing our trade infrastructure from Lester Millet of the Port of South Louisiana / Infraguard Louisiana, and a meeting with the Port of New Orleans where we discussed the inner workings of one of the largest Gulf South ports as well as their plans for the new Port facilities in St Bernard Parish.
