Latin American, US & island mayors to gather in SJ metro area

Jayuya Mayor Jorge González Otero, president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association

By The Star Staff

Mayors from Puerto Rico, the mainland United States, and Latin America will gather from this Sunday, Aug. 17, to Tuesday, Aug. 19, in San Juan and Carolina for the “Experience 2025” municipal conference.

The event will focus on discussing the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the economic development of local governments. This year’s conference marks the 10th anniversary of bringing international municipal leaders to the U.S. commonwealth, with more than 500 participants already registered, including mayors, council members, aldermen, legislators, municipal officials, public administration students, and private entrepreneurs, said Mickey Espada, president and organizer of Experience 2025, who announced the details of participation.

The summit will kick off at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan. Experts in economic development will present innovative strategies aimed at promoting smarter and more sustainable cities, focusing on key economic sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, housing and tourism.

“San Juan, by tradition and history, is a hub for ideas and collaboration between cities,” said Miguel Romero Lugo, mayor of San Juan and host of the opening event. “Hosting local and international leaders to discuss how technology and artificial intelligence can transform our local economies is a unique opportunity to strengthen innovation and resilience within our communities. Experience 2025 reaffirms that the future of our cities is built through shared knowledge and collaboration.”

Participants registered for Experience Puerto Rico 2025 can look forward to an educational day filled with experiences and discussions on new governance trends. Additionally, there will be cultural activities that highlight the essence and identity of the Puerto Rican people, as outlined in the event program. The capital city’s Tourism Department will host participants at a cultural event following the opening ceremonies.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, attendees can participate in guided tours of municipalities in the eastern part of the island, including Canóvanas and Loíza. Extraordinary meetings of local municipal leadership organizations from the U.S. and Latin America will also take place. This second day of educational talks will be held in Isla Verde, Carolina, and will feature a keynote address titled “Digital Infrastructure for Empowered Cities, Artificial Intelligence, and the Five Pillars of Economic Development,” presented by international guest Roberto Schigueo Susuki.

“We are honored to be among the mayors hosting this event, which will bring together local and international leaders to explore how technology can drive municipal development,” noted Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte, host of the educational plenaries in Isla Verde. “The collective vision provided by Experience 2025 strengthens the future plans of each city.”

Organizations such as the Confederation of National Associations of Municipalities of Central America and the Caribbean; International City/County Management Association; Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Local Associations; and Mayoral Roundtable are joining 25 other municipal organizations as participants in the event.

Locally, entities such as the Mayors Association, the Mayors Federation and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, alongside government agencies, municipalities, entrepreneurs, and private companies, will showcase their products and services during talks and plenary sessions on Monday, Aug. 18, at Vivo Beach Club in Isla Verde.

“For the associated mayors, Experience Puerto Rico is an excellent opportunity to expand knowledge and build collaborative bridges in both the public and private sectors,” said Jorge “Georgie” González Otero, mayor of Jayuya and president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association. “The connections with other municipal organizations are particularly significant.”

For Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez, president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Federation, the summit presents a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with visiting mayors and learn from successful strategies employed in other cities to tackle similar challenges.

“This open and collaborative dialogue strengthens us as municipal leaders and enhances the solutions we provide to our communities,” he said.

Earlier this year, Experience PR received the Juan Pablo Duarte Award in the international cooperation category in the Dominican Republic for promoting educational and cultural events similar to the one being offered this year in San Juan and Carolina.