In the News: Gavin Newsom heads to Germany
California Governor Gavin Newsom headed to the Munich Security Conference as part of a broader pattern of high-profile international appearances aimed at positioning himself as Democrats' leading counter to Trump, just weeks after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In the News:Newsom heads to Munich conference
Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to the Munich Security Conference to reassure European allies, declaring "Donald Trump is temporary" and urging world leaders to maintain partnerships with U.S. states like California during the current period of federal instability. He signed a clean technology agreement with the UK securing a $1 billion investment commitment, and was joined by a host of other Democrats with 2028 presidential ambitions looking to build their foreign policy credentials on the world stage.
In the News: Mayor Wu heads to Munich
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu became the first American mayor invited to the Munich Security Conference, joining the mayors of Kyiv and Warsaw on a panel focused on city leadership and diplomacy at a time of heightened US-Europe tensions. She also announced Boston's entry into the Pact of Free Cities, a European network of mayors committed to defending democracy and progressive values.
In the News: Boston Mayor Wu to travel to Germany to speak at Munich Security Conference
"Wu is the first American mayor to participate in the annual gathering of international leaders, and will speak on a panel focused on city leadership and democracy alongside Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski [...] The panel will be moderated by Amb. Nina Hachigian (ret), a former US ambassador and current chief executive of the Alliance for Local Leaders International, a nonprofit that facilitates policy discussions between local leaders worldwide." -- The Boston Globe
Press Release: ALLIES to Moderate Transatlantic Spotlight with Governor Newsom and Minister-President Rhein at Munich Security Conference
Governor Gavin Newsom (California, USA) and Minister-President Minister-President Boris Rhein (Hesse, Germany), moderated by ALLIES Founder & CEO Ambassador (ret.) Nina Hachigian, convened at the 2026 Munich Security Conference to examine how state and regional leaders are sustaining transatlantic ties and renewing democracy against a backdrop of global uncertainty. By bringing local leadership to the forefront of the Conference, ALLIES advanced its mission to elevate the role of local leaders in protecting and renewing effective governance and democratic values.
Press Release: Mayors on the Frontline: Perspectives on Global Stability at the Munich Security Conference
ALLIES facilitated the Munich Security Conference’s first all-mayor panel on February 14, 2026, bringing together Mayors Vitali Klitschko (Kyiv, Ukraine; in absentia), Rafał Trzaskowski (Warsaw, Poland), and Michelle Wu (Boston, USA) to discuss the role of mayors protecting and renewing democratic values. The panel was moderated by ALLIES Founder & CEO Ambassador (ret.) Nina Hachigian.
Press Release: Alliance for Local Leaders International Equips Local Leaders to Tackle Global Challenges
Former U.S. Ambassador Nina Hachigian, who served as the first U.S. Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy and as Los Angeles’ Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, announced the launch of the Alliance for Local Leaders International (ALLIES). This nonpartisan nonprofit empowers local and state leaders to collaborate across borders, share practical solutions, and strengthen the foundations of responsive and effective governance.
