“We are always really happy to hear when local leaders seek out their international counterparts and go on trips like this,” said the US official during a briefing organized by the Foreign Press Center (FPC) of Washington while answering a question on the visit to Morocco of a the delegation of US mayors, marked by the signing of two twinning agreements between Laayoune and Dakhla and the cities of Arlington (Texas) and Columbus (Ohio).
Asked by MAP about the contribution of decentralized cooperation and twinning agreements in particular to the strengthening of the multifaceted strategic partnership between Washington and Rabat, the former deputy mayor of Los Angeles noted that “for local leaders there are many powerful benefits that can come from international connections.”
These relations of cooperation that are bolstered through concrete projects promote the creation of “jobs from economic connections, cultural experiences, and solutions to shared challenges, global-scale understanding,” she pointed out.
“Strengthening local level ties through partnerships with municipal leaders can enhance a bilateral relationship,” Hachiagan said, adding that “these collaborations foster direct engagement.” “They allow both of our nations to understand each other better, to exchange best practices.”
The US official underlined the importance of international action by cities in addressing various “infrastructure-related issues, economic development or learning how to prevent flooding.” These are issues “that make a huge difference to people’s daily lives,” she stressed, adding that “when local leaders are cooperating with each other they can quickly get to some tangible benefits that can complement the kind of larger diplomatic and economic partnership.”
The US official also underlined that “city, county and state governments are on the frontlines of some of our biggest international challenges,” noting that “they are critical actors in solving these challenges.”
“They are the experts on the ground, the innovators, and the implementors,” said the Special Representative of the US State Department for City and State Diplomacy, whose mission, she added, “is to elevate the voice, vision, and role of local leaders” in U.S. diplomacy.”
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