Tuesday, 9 December 2025: The African Consuls General Group in New York between the hours of 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon had its final meeting in 2025 under the leadership of H.E Simon Cardy, Consul General of South Africa, and current Chairperson of the African Consuls General Group. The meeting was held at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York. The meeting hosted two distinguished officials of the US Government, Madam Aissata Camara, Commissioner for International Affairs of New York City, and Mr. Andrews Gross, Director of International Innovation and Partnership for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The African Union member countries were all in attendance.
The African Consuls General Group (ACGG) in New York is a collaborative body of African Consulate representative across the African region working to unify African States’ interests, promote peace and security and foster economic ties with the United States in trade and investment. The group is constantly engaged with the Mayor’s Office of New York City, the New York Chamber of Commerce and other strategic development partners within the city of New York on exploring economic and cultural opportunities, as well as serving as a united voice for the African community and the continent in New York.
After the Chairperson of the ACGG, Consul General of South Africa, Simon Cardy called the meeting to order by adopting the agenda, recognizing the distinguished guest and Consuls General of the African Group. Madam Aissata Camara, Commissioner for International Affairs of New York City was recognized to make remarks. In her well delivered remarks, she deliberated on a wide range of issues which took into consideration the induction into office of the Mayor Elect of New York, Zohran Mamdani, scheduled to take office on January 1, 2026. She indicated that Mayor Office will keep the African Group abreast of the requisite events and protocol leading to the induction ceremony. She encouraged the African Group to remain engaged with the mayor’s office in enhancing economic opportunities, fostering cooperation, and deepening diplomatic ties with the bursting City of New York. Madam Camara indicated that her role is to remain engaged with the international communities, driving the City’s international rapprochement strategically connecting diplomatic or global community with local New York opportunities and priorities to promote equity, dignity, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
Commissioner Camara officially informed the African Group that New York in collaboration with New Jersey will be hosting several games for the 2026 World Cup and that plans are far advanced to address the issues of logistical support, transportation planning, and security protocol. She further informed that along with the traditional traffic control and management across airports, transit, and roadways, host cities are customizing their approach for the mobility need of visitors, workers, volunteers, and the media including those with accessibility transportation needs. She emphasized massive infrastructure improvement taking place in the host cities that are aligned with FIFA requirements and future regional needs.
Commissioner Camara informed the African Consuls General Group that the mayor’s office for International Affairs along with US. Department of State have introduced the City of New York revised diplomatic parking program. The program will make available parking decals and assist diplomatic and Consular offices with convenient parking throughout the year.
The Consul General of South Africa, Simon Cardy, once again thanked Commissioner Camara and invited Mr. Andrew Gross, Director of International Innovation and Partnership of New Jersey Economic Development Authority to make his presentation to the African Group.
Director Gross began by thinking Commissioner Camara for her remarks and acknowledged the presence of the African Consuls General and thanked them for their strong partnership and cooperation. He urged the African Group to see NJ as an economic hub and take advantage of huge economic opportunities with the City of New Jersey. He highlighted the State of New Jersey by highlighting New Jersey’s economic potential with investment in decent job creation, catalysing investment opportunities and fostering vibrant inclusive community development. Director Gross further informed the African Group that NJEDA works in partnership with a diversified range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality, and strengthen New Jersey’s long term economic competitiveness.
He encouraged the African Group to begin linking their various economics to the New Jersey model for sustainable and equitable economic growth by investing in clean energy, power security, food security, quality education, social and economic infrastructures, economic industrialization, science, and technology. He simultaneously encouraged the African Group to take advantage of NJ small and med-sized business program and available financing, for their various communities.
Additionally, Director Gross encouraged the African Group to partnership with their respective US based communities in NJ to get involved in the NJ bidding opportunity program to benefit from local contracts. He further indicated that NJ has a huge learning base with diverse institutions of higher learning focusing on science and technology, engineering, business, law, and health science amongst others. He, therefore, encouraged the African Group to build stronger partnership with NJ Universities to enhance educational development in critical areas of learning across Africa.
Finally, Director Gross informed the African Group that the State of New Jersey is recognized for its huge port network across the State affecting a tremendous volume of trade traffic. He encouraged the African Group to build stronger partnership with the NJ port network to increase trade volume between their respective countries and the States of New York and New Jersey, respectively. He threw light on the New Jersey comprehensive housing program constructed with high tech and modern architecture across NJ. Director Gross concluded by encouraging African diplomats to engage NJ in the economic partnership arena.