The Rise of City Diplomacy: Navigating a Fragmented World Order

As global challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and political polarization intensify, cities are increasingly taking center stage in international affairs. This phenomenon, known as city diplomacy – likewise referred to as urban diplomacy, local diplomacy, or subnational diplomacy – reflects a growing trend of cities stepping up to fill gaps in global governance, and advocacy. While states remain central actors, the proactive engagement of cities offers a potentially vital pathway toward addressing 21st-century problems.

From “Invisible Gorilla” to Key Player

In the early 2010s, scholar Michelle Acuto described cities as the “invisible gorilla” in global politics – highly impactful entities often overlooked by traditional international relations scholarship focused primarily on states . Since then, a burgeoning field of study has emerged, recognizing the growing capacity of cities to act on the global stage. This evolution has been accompanied by increased financial resources, administrative organization, and specialized training within city governments . City networks play a crucial role in addressing global issues, leveraging soft power, and maintaining established sister city connections .

Case Studies: Yokohama and Taipei

To illustrate diverse applications of successful city diplomacy, this article examines the approaches of Yokohama, Japan, and Taipei, Taiwan. Comparing these cities reveals insights that can enhance the practice of city diplomacy and contribute to the growing body of literature seeking to professionalize this field.

The City Diplomacy of Yokohama

Yokohama, the second most populous city in Japan, has flourished as a port city since the Meiji Restoration in the mid-19th century. Its approach to city diplomacy encompasses technical cooperation, activism on global issues like climate change and peace, and robust sister city relationships. A key element of Yokohama’s strategy is its publicly available “International Strategy,” outlining objectives to foster an inclusive society, grow its economy through international engagement, and address global issues .

Yokohama actively participates in city networks such as C40 Cities, where it won an award in 2016 for its Yokohama Smart City Project (YSCP), a collaborative decarbonization initiative involving 34 Japanese companies . It is also recognized as a UN Peace Messenger City and participates in the Mayors for Peace organization . Yokohama engages with ICLEI Local Government for Sustainability, the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, and the SDGs Leadership City Network .

The Y-PORT Program, a public-private partnership, exemplifies Yokohama’s expertise-driven approach to urban development. This initiative brings together city officials, civic organizations, partner cities, and international entities to address environmental challenges in Asia, with projects focused on water and sanitation, autonomous driving technology, and solar power generation . Yokohama maintains eight sister cities and seven partner cities, including a strengthened collaboration with Odesa, Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid and support for post-war reconstruction following the Russian invasion .

The City Diplomacy of Taipei

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, leverages city diplomacy to overcome its political isolation. The city actively promotes its cultural heritage, expertise in sustainable development and smart city technology, and expands its sister city connections to gain global recognition. Taipei is a member of the United Cities and Local Governments, Asia-Pacific Branch (UCLG-ASPAC) and holds an executive position . While not a member of C40 Cities, it received the C40 Cities Citizen’s Choice Award in 2014 for its clean air program .

Taipei’s contributions to smart city technologies are particularly noteworthy, hosting the Smart City Summit & Expo (SCSE) and establishing the Global Organization of Smart Cities (Travel SMART), which boasts over 2,000 members worldwide . The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, repurposed from a former tobacco factory, serves as a showcase for creative industries and a hub for international cultural exchange .

With 53 sister cities, 3 partner cities, and 5 friendship cities, Taipei has cultivated a geographically diverse network of relationships since 1961 . These connections facilitate educational exchanges, business investments, and the sharing of urban development knowledge, enhancing Taiwan’s visibility on the global stage.

A Maturing Field

The professionalization of city diplomacy is gaining momentum, with organizations like C40’s Knowledge Hub, the City Diplomacy Lab, and the Melbourne Centre for Cities working to improve practices and share best practices. Yokohama and Taipei exemplify this maturation, both emphasizing sustainable urban development and smart city technologies. While Yokohama focuses on technical cooperation and public-private partnerships, Taipei prioritizes soft power, cultural exchange, and political visibility.

As state-level diplomacy faces increasing challenges, the role of cities as international actors is becoming increasingly vital. Instances of subnational actors circumventing international deficiencies, such as New York City joining the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network after the US withdrawal, demonstrate the potential for cities to address global problems . City diplomacy, alongside other forms of subnational engagement, offers a reason for cautious optimism in a world requiring greater global cooperation.