Buenos Aires and Miami-Dade Advance in International Cooperation

In dialogue with DEF Media, Miami-Dade County officials and authorities commented on their progress and development ideas in conjunction with Argentina. The conclusions of their visit to Buenos Aires and what will be the future agenda of the city of Miami (Article translated and reprinted courtesy of Infobae - full article can be found here)

Miami-Dade County officials and authorities commented on their progress and development ideas in conjunction with Argentina

As part of a special visit to Argentina, a delegation made up of representatives of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, authorities from Miami-Dade County, Miami Dade College, and other businesses held an intense agenda of meetings aimed at strengthening commercial ties with Buenos Aires and opening a new stage of cooperation focused on technological innovation.

During their stay, the delegation met with officials of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires and the National Executive Branch. Among the most notable meetings were the meetings with Daniel Scioli, Secretary of Tourism, Environment, and Sports of the Nation; Federico Sturzenegger, Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation; and representatives of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Argentina (AmCham Argentina). The objective was clear: to build bridges between the two countries and explore new opportunities in the commercial, educational, and tourism sectors.

Beyond the proposals and exchanges with local companies and businesses, the US mission leaders of the trip also shared their vision of the value of public service in Miami-Dade County and advanced some of the strategic axes that will mark their future agenda.

Alfred Sanchez, president and CEO of the Miami Chamber of Commerce (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

Technology as a key to international cooperation

Alfred Sanchez is the current president and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, one of the most influential business organizations in South Florida. With a vast track record in promoting regional economic development, Sánchez leads initiatives focused on innovation, international trade, and the connection between local companies and global markets. Under his management, the Chamber strengthened its ties with Latin America, positioning Miami as a true hemispheric hub.

"We had a great reception at the residence of the U.S. ambassador, with more than a hundred businessmen and businesswomen present. I think there is a mutual anticipation and enthusiasm to be able to open economic and cultural bridges between Miami and Buenos Aires," he added. The trade mission, made up of 24 business leaders, professionals, and representatives of key sectors such as tourism, education, and technology, focused on opening doors at all levels: "We came with the aim of generating conversations, without limiting the scope to a single sector."

DEF spoke with Madeline Pumariega, who presides over Miami Dade College (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

One of the most prominent topics was technology, particularly artificial intelligence. In Miami, during the pandemic, many tech companies moved to the city. "We have been preparing for this for 20 years, creating the right infrastructure and ecosystems," explained Sanchez. In this context, he mentioned that educational agreements were made between Miami Dade College, the largest public university in the United States, and Argentine universities to promote exchanges in AI and professional training.

In addition, he underlined the transformation of Miami: "Miami used to be thought of as beaches and fun, but today it is a true international center of commerce and technology. And what we learned here in Buenos Aires shows us that there is great potential to build a two-way relationship that benefits both cities."

In fact, he commented that, during this visit, agreements were already reached between investors from his city and Argentine technology startups, in a clear sign of interest in deepening international cooperation ties.

Oliver Gilbert III, commissioner of Miami-Dade County District 1 (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

Strategic alliances: Miami and Buenos Aires join forces in pursuit of education

Madeline Pumariega is president of Miami Dade College, one of the largest and most diverse educational institutions in the United States. She is the first woman to hold this position and promoted an agenda focused on employability, educational equity, and international collaboration. Her leadership seeks to strengthen links between the academic world and the productive sector, betting on the training of talent in key areas such as technology, health, and entrepreneurship.

One of the milestones of the trip was the signing of an agreement with the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE), focused on student exchange programs and knowledge transfer in key areas such as artificial intelligence. "Education has a central role in democratizing knowledge and preparing students for the future of work," said Pumariega, noting that Miami Dade College was a pioneer in the United States in offering university certifications and degrees in AI applied to different disciplines, from nursing to marketing and teaching.

A delegation made up of representatives of the GMCC held an intense agenda of meetings aimed at strengthening trade ties with Buenos Aires

In addition, she underscored the importance of the Hispanic community in Miami, where 75% of the residents and also of the students of the University come from Latin American countries. "Miami Dade College is a beacon of hope for many young people who are the first in their families to access higher education," she remarked.

After a visit that she described as very positive, Pumariega anticipated that both she and the business leaders who accompanied her are enthusiastic about the possibility of returning to Buenos Aires to continue deepening this strategic relationship between two vibrant and complementary cities.

"Education has a central role in democratizing knowledge and preparing students for the future of work," Pumariega told DEF (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

Miami's agenda and its next steps

Oliver Gilbert III is commissioner of District 1 of Miami-Dade County, one of the areas with the greatest population and economic dynamism in South Florida. With a career marked by public service, Gilbert was also mayor of Miami Gardens and is recognized for his work on urban development, inclusion, and community safety policies. Their participation in this institutional mission reflects the interest in promoting public and private alliances with strategic cities such as Buenos Aires.

District 1 of Miami-Dade County, in which Gilbert III is in charge, is one of the areas with the greatest population and economic dynamism in South Florida (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

"The world may seem very big, but it gets smaller through relationships," Gilbert said, stressing the importance of connecting directly with local actors to facilitate bilateral opportunities.

During the visit, synergies in sectors such as logistics, tourism, and sport were explored. "You gave us the best player in the world. We are going to host the World Cup. There is a unique opportunity to bring our communities together through soccer," said the commissioner, referring to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.

One of the milestones of the trip was the signing of an agreement with the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE)

Gilbert also focused on urban development and transportation as a strategic axis for economic growth. "You can't have a modern city without a modern transportation system. We are planning a rapid transit system that transforms mobility throughout the county and allows for greater urban density and opportunity for all," he explained.

Finally, Gilbert valued the exchanges held with Argentine officials during the visit, especially in relation to reforms to make the government more efficient. "Many problems are universal. Traveling and meeting face-to-face allows you to learn how other countries face the same challenges. That is where the real opportunities for collaboration are born," he concluded.

"We had a great reception at the residence of the U.S. ambassador, with more than a hundred businessmen and businesswomen present," Alfred Sanchez summarized to DEF (Photo: Giovanni Sacchetto)

Each one, from their role, aimed to create lasting bridges that transcend geographical borders. Whether through academic agreements, business opportunities, or improvements in infrastructure and governance, the message was clear: the future of growth lies in partnerships, cooperation, and, above all, communication.