The Office of International Relations and Trade Development, housed in offices in the World Trade Center, was a subdivision of the Mayor's Economic Development Division. (An organizational chart accompanying the city's annual budget consistently places this office under the Intergovernmental Relations Division; no other available documentation, however, supports this organizational structure). The Office was in charge of coordinating the administration's international efforts, with a focus on international relations and protocol. Despite its title, the Office had very little to do with promotion or development of trade during the Barthelemy years.

The Office served as the city's official contact with the consular corps and coordinated the various activities surrounding visits of foreign dignitaries. It was also responsible for handling the Mayor's foreign correspondence and with coordinating his courtesy calls with international dignitaries and visitors and his foreign trade missions. In addition, the Office was in charge of the city's Sister City Program and served as a liaison between the administration, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, and with local universities. The Office also worked closely with Encuentro, the World Trade Center and with international organizations such as the Foreign Relations Association, the Japan-Louisiana Association, the French-American Chamber of Commerce and the Honduran Foundation. The Office was also involved in a number of festivals, celebrations and conferences with an international focus.