San Antonio, Queretaro mayors sign Sister City Agreement
Published on February 11, 2025
SAN ANTONIO (February 11, 2025) — In a ceremony highlighting the centuries of historic ties between their cities, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Querétaro Mayor Felipe Fernando Macías Olvera officially signed a Sister City Agreement at the Alamo today, strengthening the bond between the two cities and paving the way for future collaboration.
The signing took place at the Alamo, a site with deep historical ties to Querétaro. More than 300 years ago, Spanish friars traveled over 700 miles from Querétaro to establish Mission San Antonio de Valero—the mission that would later become known as the Alamo. This journey laid the foundation for San Antonio’s origins, shaping its cultural and historical identity. The Sister City Agreement recognizes this connection and reaffirms the enduring relationship between the two cities.
“Sister City Agreements are more than symbolic gestures; they serve as the foundation for meaningful cooperation, fostering economic, educational, and cultural exchanges,” said Mayor Nirenberg. “San Antonio and Querétaro share a history that dates back to the very founding of our city, and today’s agreement ensures that our partnership continues to thrive for generations to come.”
An important cornerstone of this relationship was initiated with the announcement of the direct flight between the two cities and the launch of an important cultural exchange program, “Al Otro Lado del Espejo,” which has involved a broad section of the San Antonio academic, artistic, and corporate communities and which will continue into the future.
San Antonio already maintains Sister City relationships with 12 cities worldwide. These agreements, established through Memorandums of Understanding signed by respective mayors and approved by City Council, are designed to foster international collaboration. They facilitate exchanges strengthening diplomatic, business, and educational ties between cities.
The Sister Cities International program, founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, plays a key role in people-to-people exchanges and global relationship-building, enhancing mutual understanding and economic opportunities through cultural and educational initiatives.
By formalizing this partnership, San Antonio and Querétaro reaffirm their historical connection and commit to building a future of collaboration and mutual prosperity.