LONG BEACH, CA. August 26, 2025 – The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved La Paz, Mexico, as the city’s newest Sister City — its first such partnership in Mexico and the first new Sister City in three years.

“This partnership reflects our city’s vibrant Mexican community and strengthens Long Beach’s global ties,” said Alba Danely of Sister Cities of Long Beach. “By connecting residents, students, artists, and entrepreneurs in Long Beach and La Paz, we’re investing in friendship, shared prosperity, and people-to-people diplomacy.”

Mayor Rex Richardson shared, “I’m proud that it’s the first added during my administration! This partnership will deepen cultural exchange and economic opportunity between our two coastal cities.”

Why La Paz?

• Shared Port Economies: Both cities depend on trade, fishing, tourism, and cruise activity.
• Tourism & Recreation: Similar waterfronts, cultural venues, and marine-based tourism.
• Marine Stewardship: A mutual focus on ocean conservation and climate resilience.
• Cultural Ties: Strong arts communities and shared heritage.

What the Partnership Enables:

• Educational exchanges for students and teachers
• Cultural collaborations among museums, artists, and festivals
• Economic and port-to-port dialogues on sustainability and workforce development
• Joint initiatives on marine conservation and climate action

About Sister Cities of Long Beach

Sister Cities of Long Beach (SCLB) is a nonprofit partner of the City of Long Beach dedicated to promoting international understanding through cultural, educational, and economic exchange. In the past year, SCLB organized two student exchanges with CSULB students traveling to China in January and July, hosted the fifth annual Digital Pen Pal program, coordinated the 2024 Lunar New Year Festival at 2nd & PCH, and published the Qingdao–Long Beach Art Book. This summer, 20 high school students from Taoyuan, Taiwan, spent a week in Long Beach, residing in the CSULB dormitories. Their program included academic study in the mornings and cultural and recreational activities throughout the city in the afternoons. At the conclusion of their visit, many students expressed a strong interest in pursuing higher education in Long Beach.