DAVAO CITY (August 22) – Davao City highlighted its commitment to fostering international partnerships as it welcomed foreign delegations and sister cities during the 2025 Kadayawan Festival.
On August 15, Acting Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte led courtesy meetings with representatives from Palau, Japan, the United States, China, South Korea, Singapore, and Russia at Dusit Thani Residences in Lanang. The event formed part of Invest Davao: Kadayawan Global Connect 2025, a three-day program organized by the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC).
DCIPC Head April Dayap reported that 113 foreign delegates from seven countries participated, including 32 foreign companies that joined a business forum alongside 90 local firms. Among the guests were Eyos Rudimch, Governor of Koror State in Palau; Yamamoto Yuma, Mayor of Sennan City in Japan; Zheng Feng, Deputy Secretary-General of Dalian City in China; and Ria J. Jumawan Johnson, Co-Chair of Tacoma Sister Cities in the United States.
“The objective is to attract more foreign guests, especially investors, to build networks and explore opportunities for trade, culture, and education here in Davao,” Dayap said, noting that the visitors were impressed with the city’s peace and order, cleanliness, and governance.
In his remarks, Acting Mayor Duterte thanked the delegations for their participation, stressing the value of collaboration:
“Just as Kadayawan unites Davao’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes, this gathering brings together diverse nations and cultures in the spirit of goodwill. Our sister cities are vital, but so too is the creation of new linkages that allow us to learn from each other and pursue shared prosperity, stability, and peace.”
Duterte expressed hope that the discussions would lead to mutual growth and more sister city agreements in the future. Delegates also joined in experiencing Kadayawan’s cultural highlights, further strengthening ties between Davao and its international partners.
