When most people think of diplomacy, they picture world leaders gathered at summits or foreign ministers negotiating across long tables. But today, diplomacy is just as alive in our cities. Mayors and local leaders are at the front lines of international engagement, and the impact is both immediate and profound.
For Phoenix, diplomacy and protocol are not abstract concepts. They are practical tools that help us strengthen ties with our global partners and open doors to economic opportunity. Through our Phoenix Sister Cities, we build enduring cultural and business connections with cities like Hermosillo, Taipei, and Calgary. These relationships have grown into educational exchanges, arts partnerships, and new business and investment ventures that link our residents to opportunities far beyond our borders.
Recently, our work with Taipei has opened doors for collaboration in advanced technology and education, while our ties to Calgary have supported innovations in sustainability and clean energy. When we welcome a foreign delegation to Phoenix City Hall, or when we sign a partnership agreement with an international city, we are doing more than exchanging pleasantries. We are setting the stage for investment, trade, and knowledge-sharing that directly benefits our residents.
Cities are uniquely positioned for this kind of diplomacy.
Local leaders are accountable for creating jobs, building resilient infrastructure, and delivering services that improve daily life. That means we are constantly looking for solutions, when often it feels like there are none. Whether it’s expanding access to renewable resources, strengthening supply chains, or preparing a skilled workforce, international collaboration gives us more tools to meet those challenges.
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when local leaders face similar issues and share their targeted approaches. Our cities are complex, and our issues such as traffic congestion, affordable housing, or climate adaptation require layers of solutions that only global collaboration brings. Phoenix’s work to transform Hance Park into a living laboratory of innovation is rooted in this kind of city-to-city diplomacy, showing how international engagement accelerates city development.
Phoenix is also proving that sustainability is a form of diplomacy. Through a partnership with Arizona State University and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an international leader in advancing the circular economy, our city became the first in the United States to be invited to join this global exchange of ideas and solutions. Together, we launched Reimagine Phoenix and the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN), doubling
our waste diversion rate in six years and creating a hub where businesses, researchers, and policymakers test new circular solutions. By connecting local action to a global network, Phoenix demonstrates how international collaboration can transform bold ideas, such as reusing materials, reducing waste, and building resilient supply chains, into jobs and innovation at home. This exchange of ideas creates a ripple effect. It builds trust, strengthens partnerships, and spurs economic activity across borders.
Diaspora communities also make this work deeply personal.
Phoenix is home to vibrant immigrant populations whose ties extend to every corner of the globe. When we engage with their countries of origin, we’re not only fostering trade and investment but also honoring the cultural and human connections that enrich our city.
The stakes could not be higher. Global challenges like climate change, public health crises, and technological disruption all land in our cities first. Local governments make the decisions that shape life-long outcomes. International engagement is no longer optional for cities. It is critical to ensure that Phoenix remains globally competitive, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable. By embracing diplomacy at the local level, we not only strengthen our global connections-we create opportunities here at home.
Phoenix is proud to lead with openness, collaboration, and ambition. We know that the stronger our global ties, the stronger our future will be.
Mayor Kate Gallego has spent her career working to find solutions to complex problems. Prior to being elected as mayor, she served for five years as the city councilwoman for District 8, a large district covering much of South Phoenix. In March 2019, Mayor Gallego became the second elected female mayor in Phoenix history and the youngest big-city mayor in the United States. Mayor Gallego is passionate about building a Phoenix that works for everyone.
