The impact of global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic manifests most acutely in urban settings, rendering cities essential players on the global stage. Based on the survey results, we discuss the three primary obstacles cities must overcome in order to strengthen the role of city diplomacy globally: inadequate funding and resources for international engagement, insufficient training in city diplomacy, and the failure of national and multilateral bodies to fully recognize and formalize city engagement in diplomacy.
Kosovac, Anna, Hartley, Kris, Gunning, Darcy, and Acuto, Michele. (2020). “Conducting city diplomacy: a survey of international engagement in 51 cities.” University of Melbourne, Connected Cities Laboratory and Chicago Council on Global Affairs.