San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor London N. Breed recognized Visa Foundation as a major sponsor to support San Francisco’s role as host city for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum Economic Leaders Meetings and CEO Summit.
Visa Foundation, which seeks to support diverse and inclusive small and micro businesses, awarded a $1 million grant to the San Francisco Special Events Committee. This generosity also marks a significant contribution to APEC’s success and demonstrates Visa Foundation’s commitment to supporting inclusive economies.
“The Foundation’s contribution aligns with APEC’s mission of promoting economic growth among its member economies and will also ensure San Francisco is ready to host the event while showcasing our city,” said Mayor London Breed. “This generosity, along with Visa ’s support for APEC and soon-to-be open new global headquarters in Mission Rock, illustrate Visa’s confidence in San Francisco’s future as the hub for talent collaborations, innovative visions, and global economic growth.”
“Visa has had the privilege of calling San Francisco home for the last 60 years. We are committed to utilizing our expertise, people, and resources to help enable individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive,” said Oliver Jenkyn, Group President of Global Markets for Visa and Visa Foundation board member. “We are proud to support APEC in its mission to address critical global challenges, and hope that our contribution will help foster economies that include everyone, everywhere.”
Visa Foundation’s contribution will help enhance the experience for attendees and showcase what San Francisco has to offer to the world. This support not only strengthens this multilateral convening but also underscores their dedication to community engagement on a global stage.
“At Visa, we’re excited to share the home of our Global Headquarters with the 2023 APEC Economic Leaders Meetings and CEO Summit. This year’s theme of ‘Creating Economic Opportunity’ aligns closely with our efforts to foster an inclusive digital economy that promotes prosperity,” said Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Visa’s Executive Chairman and Chair of Visa Foundation. “As a Co-Chair of the National Center for APEC (NCAPEC) Private Sector Host Committee, we look forward to engaging thought leaders from the region and contributing to rich discussions and initiatives that will advance economic growth and opportunity.”
In early October, Mayor Breed also announced that San Francisco has surpassed its committed fundraising goal of $20 million. The City will continue to work to raise more funds beyond this goal for the week-long conference that will host leaders and delegates from 21 APEC Member Economies, 1,200 global CEOs, hundreds of journalists, and more than 20,000 in total attendance.
About Visa Foundation
Visa Foundation seeks to support inclusive economies where individuals, businesses and communities can thrive. Through grant making and investing, the Foundation prioritizes the resilience and growth of micro and small businesses that benefit women. The Foundation also supports broader community needs and disaster response in times of crisis. Visa Foundation is registered in the U.S. as a 501(c)(3) entity. For more information visit: visafoundation.org.
About Visa Inc.
Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
APEC in San Francisco
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is the premier platform for the United States to advance economic policies in the Asia-Pacific region to promote free, fair, and open trade and investment and advance inclusive and sustainable growth. As part of our enduring commitment to the region and broad-based economic growth, San Francisco is excited to serve as host of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting taking place in San Francisco, November 11-17, 2023.
APEC will be the largest convening of world leaders in San Francisco since the UN Charter was signed in 1945 during the UN Conference on International Organization, also called the San Francisco Conference.
This November, the United States will chair the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in iconic San Francisco, California. The 21 APEC Member Economies account for nearly 40 percent of the global population and nearly 50 percent of global trade.
APEC’s themes this year are sustainability, inclusivity, innovation and resilience.
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