The event “City Diplomacy. The Strategic Role of French Cities in International Relations” aims to initiate a multi-level dialogue on how local authorities can navigate this evolving landscape while remaining engines of democratic cooperation and innovation.

Held under the patronage of Senator Gilbert-Luc Devinaz (Rhône), the event will take place at the French Senate, whose mission includes representing local and regional governments across the Republic. It marks the launch of a broader international process coordinated by the City Diplomacy Lab and characterised by open exchange among researchers, local elected officials and their associations, parliamentarians, and national policymakers.

This initiative will continue on 15 September with a twin event at the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome, and will be followed by high-level meetings at the European Parliament and within the Urban 7 process during France’s G7 Presidency.

This common ambition is made possible thanks to the support of key networks that drive international cooperation among local governments: Cités Unies France, France Urbaine, Eurocities, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA, the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), and the Global Parliament of Mayors.

More information.

Participation is by invitation only.