1. International Networks and Partnerships
The list below outlines the International Networks of which Glasgow City Council is currently a member.
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (Associate Member)
- Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance
- Cities4Forests Initiative
- Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance
- Cities for Digital Rights
- City DNA
- Connected Places Catapult
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation
- Eurocities
- EU Covenant of Mayors and Mayors Adapt
- European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities
- European Waterfront Cities Network
- Global Parliament of Mayors
- Global Resilient Cities Network
- ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability
- ICLEI Cities with Nature
- ICLEI Urban Transitions Alliance
- Ideas and Knowledge Exchange Network (iKEN)
- Inclusive Cities Network
- Institute of Global Homelessness: A Place to Call Home Initiative
- International Congress and Convention Association
- Lighting Urban Community International Association
- MetroLab Network
- OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth
- Open Government Partnership
- POLIS Network
- The Carter Center
- UK Core Cities Network
- UN Economic Commission for Europe
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network (City of Music)
- UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
- URBACT ROOF Network
- World Economic Forum: Sustainable Mass Timber Working Group
- World Health Organisation Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities
2. Glasgow's Twin Cities
Nuremberg, Germany Twinning agreement signed - 1985
Havana, Cuba Twinning Agreement signed - 2002
Marseilles, France Twinning Agreement signed - 2006
Bethlehem, Palestine Twinning Agreement signed - 2007
Twinning Agreement signed - 1997
Turin, Italy Twinning Agreement signed - 2003
Lahore, Pakistan Twinning Agreement signed - 2006
Mykolaiv, Ukraine Twinning Agreement signed - 2024
3. Membership of the International Strategy Working Group
We wish to reiterate our thanks to those who participated and engaged in the work of the International Strategy Working Group, representing the following organisations and Government departments:
Central Government
- Directorate for International Trade and Investment (Scottish Government)
- Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UK Government)
Education Institutions
- Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board
- Glasgow School of Art
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
Government Agencies
- Innovate UK
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Development International
- The Connected Places Catapult
Innovation Districts
- Glasgow City Innovation District
- Glasgow Riverside Innovation District
- Private Sector
- Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
Private Sector
- Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
The Glasgow City Council Family
- The Lord Provost’s Office
- Council Leader’s Office
- Economic Development
- Glasgow Life
- Education Services
- Glasgow 850
- Glasgow City Region Intelligence Hub
4. List of Actions
Economic
- Utilise government funding programmes to implement innovative support programmes, such as International Challenge Funds, to support Glasgow businesses create meaningful relationships in areas where there is strong geographical economic synergy.
- Continue to support local businesses develop the skills, resources and networks needed for successful entry and expansion into international markets, including support for new trade missions that align with Glasgow's strategic goals in priority international markets.
- Explore the development of a Saltire Scholarship model to promote international trade and innovation, positioning Glasgow as a hub for global talent and entrepreneurship and review the Glasgow Exports model to reflect on how to better support businesses in their international trade and market expansion efforts.
- Establish a centralised data hub in collaboration with key stakeholders to share data and market intelligence, enhancing connectivity, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making across Glasgow's international initiatives.
- Enhance the key sectoral analysis undertaken by the Glasgow City Region Intelligence Hub by conducting targeted research and leveraging stakeholder networks to identify and map emerging geographic markets.
- Conduct a comparative analysis of available data to benchmark Glasgow City Region's performance against other UK and Scottish cities, focusing on key industry clusters to highlight relative strengths and pinpoint areas for growth.
Education
- Work with our FE and HE institutions to activate their extensive alumni networks and Global Ambassadors to attract further investment, tourism and opportunity into the city.
- Leverage insights from international cities to support young people in developing skills and fostering cross-cultural connections.
- Utilise networks to enhance access and fully capitalise on opportunities provided by initiatives like the Turing Scheme to support educational and cultural exchanges.
- Through our Innovation Districts, seek international innovation collaborations that complement our key priority sectors.
Culture and Events
- Create a cohesive branding strategy that amplifies Glasgow’s unique identity, reinforcing its distinct position on both national and international stages.
- Work with Glasgow Airport and work with national Government to ensure there is fair support for the development of new flight routes that align with our strategic markets.
- Engage strategically, through existing Regional structures, with the Scottish and UK Governments to shape policies related to visas, funding and the creative economy, fostering a supportive environment for Glasgow's international growth.
- Deliver the actions set out in the Tourism Action Plan, led by Glasgow Life, which supports the Glasgow 2030 Tourism Strategy.
- Realise the bold ambitions presented in the city’s Culture Strategy, and its associated forthcoming action plan, focused around cultural profile, cultural participation, skills and sustainability.
- Attract, develop and deliver an international events portfolio that provides a platform to showcase Glasgow in key international markets and sectors, positioning the city as a world-leading, innovative events destination and a vibrant place to visit, live, work and do business with.
- Align support across the Council and partners to maximise inward investment opportunities, strategic partnerships and business development, particularly drawing upon the city’s world-leading civic, cultural and events reputation.
Networks
- Create a Global Glaswegians network and establish an Ambassadors Network to promote Glasgow, attract investment and build strategic partnerships.
- Work with partners to prioritise Glasgow’s participation and representation at strategically important network events, specifically COP, Global Expo’s, New York Tartan Week and other trade fairs, both at home and abroad.
- Through collaboration with key London agencies, create the conditions for the city, and its partners, to maximise the opportunities presented by one of the largest global economic hubs on our doorstep.
- Align resources across partners’ international activities to ensure effective collaboration and maximise the benefits for Glasgow.
- Host an annual forum to bring together partners and the business community to review progress on our international ambitions.
Civic and Communities
- Align support across the Council and partners to maximise inward investment opportunities, particularly utilising the city’s world-leading civic and cultural assets.
- Deepen and enhance our city-to-city connections, based on a strategic methodology to identify synergies and ensure a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of Glaswegians.
- Foster active engagement from local communities and organisations in global outreach efforts, ensuring a cohesive and inclusive approach to international engagement – focusing initially on the engagement opportunities offered by the Glasgow 850 celebrations.
- Utilise our role in the Eurocities Network to further advance social affairs aligned with the needs of our citizens.
- Through the FCDO’s Centre of Expertise in Green Cities and Infrastructure, we will respond to the impacts of climate change and poverty by supporting the delivery of sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure, drawing on the skills and capabilities of Glasgow businesses to support emerging cities in developing countries.
