On 8 September 2025, the French Senate hosted the high-level event “Diplomatie des Villes: Le rôle stratégique des villes françaises dans les relations internationales”. The event, organised under the Chatham House Rule, created a rare space for senators, mayors, international organization officials, scholars, and representatives of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage in an open and forward-looking dialogue on how French municipalities can navigate today’s shifting global landscape. The rule—adopted in agreement with the partners—was key to addressing sensitive issues such as the impact of geopolitical polarisation on French cities.
A Collective Effort
The meeting was piloted by the City Diplomacy Lab together with leading partners: Cités Unies France, France Urbaine, Eurocities, the Association Française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe (AFCCRE), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR/CCRE), PLATFORMA, the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), and the Global Parliament of Mayors.
It marked the first stage of an international cycle initiated by the City Diplomacy Lab on the strategic role of cities in international relations, with further sessions to follow at the Italian Parliament, the European Parliament, and within the Urban7 process during France’s G7 Presidency.
Cities as Guardians of Democratic Values
At the heart of the discussion was the evolving nature of city diplomacy. Traditionally rooted in democratic values and cooperation, the practice now faces pressures from non-democratic regimes that increasingly shape the agenda of global city networks. Participants voiced concern that issues such as gender equality or climate action are being sidelined, leaving many democratic municipalities frustrated and marginalised.
Against this backdrop, several speakers emphasised the need to reaffirm democracy and human rights as the foundation of city diplomacy. They also highlighted the supportive role of regional organisations like the Council of Europe and its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, which help defend local democracy while offering platforms for institutional dialogue.
Risks and Responsibilities in a Fragmented World
French municipalities today face new risks linked to global instability. City-to-city ties often serve as stabilising bridges, even when national relations are strained—for instance, between French cities and those in the Sahel through the AIMF. Yet these relations are not without challenges.
Drawing on the city diplomacy risk matrix in the City Diplomacy Lab’s policy brief Cities at the Crossroads, participants examined:
- the capture of intellectual property in strategic sectors through partnerships with non-democratic regimes,
- the spread of disinformation and propaganda targeting local authorities, including attempts to discredit solidarity actions in support of war-torn countries,
- and the import of international conflicts into French territory, such as tensions within diaspora communities.
These examples underscored that cities cannot approach international engagement as they once did. Careful diagnostics of partners, vigilance over authoritarian influence, and systematic communication with the national government—especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—are increasingly necessary to mitigate risks.
The State–City Nexus
Another recurring theme was the importance of a stronger dialogue between municipalities and the State. Cities called for more information and training from national institutions, while stressing the need to preserve their autonomy in shaping international action. Participants argued that local and national diplomacy should be understood as complementary and mutually reinforcing, not competitive.
The debate also revealed the uneven capacity among municipalities: while large cities often have well-staffed international relations departments, many medium-sized and small cities do not, despite being equally exposed to global risks. This highlighted the urgency of investing in training not only for city diplomats but also for elected officials and municipal staff across all departments.
Transparency, Legitimacy, and the Future of City Diplomacy
As the level of government closest to citizens, municipalities must demonstrate the tangible benefits of their international engagement. Several speakers noted that this proximity fosters accountability and transparency, strengthening trust in international cooperation.
The discussions at the Senate reaffirmed that city diplomacy is not about competing with national diplomacy but about broadening France’s capacity to act internationally through the diversity of its territories. Participants agreed that French cities should continue to defend their political autonomy while contributing to a shared democratic narrative—one that resists authoritarian influence, supports human rights, and remains anchored in the everyday realities of citizens.
Conclusion
By convening under the roof of the French Senate, the event highlighted the fertile interplay between parliamentary diplomacy and city diplomacy. It also showed that French cities are not passive bystanders in global affairs. They are proactive actors, determined to confront risks, defend democratic values, and build partnerships that make international cooperation more inclusive, resilient, and transparent.
As the international cycle moves to Rome, Brussels, and the Urban7 summit in 2026, the City Diplomacy Lab and its partners will continue to foster spaces where cities can redefine their role in shaping the future of international relations.
