Agenda Item: 11b supp
January 27, 2026

DRAFT 2026 INTERNATIONAL POLICY AGENDA
Melissa Parks, Government Relations Manager, Maritime Sustainability
Karin Zaugg Black, Manager, International Relations and Protocol

1

Overview
• Review 2025
• Current Context and International Landscape
• Agenda Overview and Updates for 2026
• Upcoming Opportunities and Next Steps

2

Why an International Agenda
Partnership Critical to Port Strategies
High Global Impact & Low Port Influence

Global

International Advocacy and
engagement

Regional
Collaborative environmental
strategies

National
Federal agency engagement

Puget Sound
Collaboration between ports,
local and tribal governments

Port of Seattle
& Surrounding
Communities

Port of Seattle's mission
Community benefits, programs,
and grants

Low Global Impact and High Port Influence
3

2025 In Review
• Port of Seattle: Welcoming Port Policy; increased engagement
with International Association of Ports and Harbors; MOU with
Korean ports
• U.S. policy: Tariff and immigration policy impacts to
international relations; withdrawal of support from
international organizations and agreements
• International Maritime Organization: Carbon Intensity
Indicatory adopted for cruise vessels; Net Zero Framework for
greenhouse gas emissions approved, not adopted - yet
4

International Engagement in 2025

Credit: Fred Felleman

Credit: Space Needle

5

Inbound and Outbound Delegations 2025
Inbound Delegations
• Coordinated 54 inbound
international delegation
groups, with over 570 visitors

• Outbound Delegations
• Supported over 52 outbound
engagements of Port leadership
and staff to international
destinations and key domestic trips
that involved international partners
or themes. Two Highlights:
- International Leadership Mission to
Germany in June.
- International Association of Ports and
Harbors World Port Conference in
Kobe, Japan in October.
6

Outbound Delegations, Airport Dignitaries 2025
Other Key International Meetings:

Airport Dignitary Gate Escorts

• IMO/MEPC Meetings (April and Oct)
• Our Ocean Summit in Busan, South
Korea (April)
• UN Ocean Conference in France (June)
• Seatrade Europe in Germany (Sept)
• New York Climate Week/UN (Sept)
• BIPC Busan, South Korean International
Port Conference (Sept)
• Smart Ports Conference in Barcelona,
Spain in (Nov)
• COP 30 in Belem, Brazil (Nov)

International government dignitaries - inbound
and outbound movements at SEA.

• Managed 72 total escort details
- With a total of 637 travelers;
- And with 89 local diplomatic greeters

7

Looking Ahead: International Landscape
• United States foreign policy and diplomacy
• International Maritime Organization decisions
and next steps
• Hosting major events: FIFA World Cup, G20

8 8

Continuing International Priorities
Addressing Climate Change & Air Pollution
Reduce Aviation and Maritime Noise
Improve Water Quality/Marine Health
Alternative Energy Standards
Combat and Reduce Human Trafficking
Support Sustainable Tourism
9

Recommended Updates for 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026

Immigrants and Refugees

Workforce Development

• Seattle: a welcoming
international city
• Share work to combat and
reduce human trafficking

• Advocate broader support
and investments that
welcomes immigrants and
refugees

• Advance our workforce
development programs
through international
collaborations and
partnerships

10

Highlights of Key Conferences, Events - 2026
Jan 28-Feb 7

Seattle Chamber/Greater Seattle Partners' Int'l Leadership Mission to India

March 1-4

TPM (NWSA) in Los Angeles/Long Beach

March 4-5

World Ocean Summit in Montreal

April 20-24

Maritime Week in Singapore

June 15-July 6

FIFA World Cup Games in Seattle

Sept 14-16

14th BIPC International Port Conference: Busan, South Korea

Nov 3-5

IAPH World Port Conference: London, England

Nov 4-6

Smart Ports Conference in Barcelona, Spain

Nov 9-20

UN Climate COP 31: Antalya, Turkey
11

International Engagement Priorities for 2026
• Focus on Subnational Diplomacy: engage our Port and International Partners directly
• Strategic Engagement Opportunities:
• Clean energy / Technology and innovation / Industrial lands utilization
• Continuing our engagement with sister ports of Busan, Kobe, Rotterdam,
and Singapore; and other key ports such as Barcelona, Bergen, and Hamburg

12

Next Steps
International Policy Agenda
• Commission edits and feedback
• Submit Agenda for Adoption: February 10 Meeting
Questions?

13