Urban Diplomacy: New Opportunities for International Cooperation

On June 19, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a panel discussion took place titled “Urban Diplomacy as a Driver of Interregional Cooperation and International Economic Engagement.” The session was moderated by Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations.

In times of global instability, cities are emerging as active players in international dialogue, establishing sustainable cooperation frameworks and becoming centers of economic and humanitarian initiatives. In his opening remarks, Cheremin noted:

“By 2050, experts predict that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in major cities. In today’s turbulent environment, cities play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development of urban agglomerations, exchanging experiences, and addressing the challenges we all face.”

Participants included representatives from India, South Africa, Cuba, Ghana, Colombia, Iran, as well as Russian municipalities and international organizations. The discussion focused on new mechanisms of city diplomacy, expanding regional-level economic collaboration, and advancing cultural and educational ties, along with the contribution of metropolises to the global sustainable development agenda. The panel underscored that cities are increasingly becoming key players in global cooperation, joining efforts to achieve sustainable growth and shared prosperity.