City Leaders Go Abroad: A Survey of City Diplomacy in 47 Cities

Abstract

Cities are playing an increasingly prominent role on the global policy stage, and in the process have established moreformalised international engagements. However, there is an incomplete understanding about the types and levels of capacity needed for such engagement. This study offers an examination of the underpinnings of “city diplomacy”. It confirms that cities recognise the importance of city diplomacy but also lack necessary resources to fulfill the commitments they make to global agendas. The article calls for action on three fronts : more effective training, formalised multilateral engagement, and stronger city-level diplomatic capacity.