ParaDiplomacy: “Enhancing the Role of Provinces, Cities & Municipalities in Diplomacy”

1. ParaDiplomacy: “Enhancing the Role of Provinces, Cities & Municipalities in Diplomacy”

2. Parallel Diplomacy “alternative” diplomatic practices, actors, cultures, and sites which transcend traditional state‐centric modalities Thomas Jackson Paradiplomacy as “direct and, in various instances, autonomous involvement in external-relations activities ”of federated states Panayotis Soldatos

3. Para vs Traditional Foreign policy of subnational governments is generally built upon their domestic competencies. Most cities or states deal only with issues such as health, education, transportation, culture, tourism or public safety, demanding that they are handled within the local-global spectrum

4. Interchangeable Terms for “ParaDiplomacy” “constituent diplomacy,” “regional diplomacy,” “sub‐state diplomacy,” “microdiplomacy,” “multilayered diplomacy,” “catalytic diplomacy,” “protodiplomacy,” “post‐diplomacy

5. Layers of ParaDiplomacy • The first layer corresponds to economic issues • purpose of attracting foreign investment, luring international companies to the region, and targeting new markets for exports • The second layer involves cooperation (cultural, educational, technical, technological and others • development assistance, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as scientific and technical cooperation

6. Layers of ParaDiplomacy • The third layer involves political considerations • develop a set of international relations that will affirm the cultural distinctiveness, political autonomy and the national character of the community they represent (Quebec, Scotland, Catalonia and the Basque Country)

7. 6 Dimensions to this type of Municipal Diplomacy • Security – Safe and Secure Cities and Districts • Development – First Line of Service Delivery for People-centered Development • Economy – Local and Indigenous Economic Potential • Environment – People Centered Environmental Systems • Culture – The epicenter for Local and Indigenous Culture • Cooperative Networks through Representation – Working with other foreign partners for Best Practice and Agenda Setting

8. Why Local Government and Municipalities in the International Sphere? Thinking Globally & Acting Locally (Being GLOCAL)

9. Local Government/Municipality/City role in Trade and Investment Promotion Municipalities or Cities being represented by their Leaders, Mayors or Officials on a world stage, where they engage in external relationships not only with other Cities or Municipalities but also with other States, NGOs, Corporate Actors and more Para or Multi-Layered Diplomacy – Where both Local and Regional entities engage in International Relations to support both Local Priorities and the Nation State’s Foreign Policy objectives on the international stage

10. Why Local Government and Municipalities in the International Sphere • 21st Century is considered the Age of Cities – vision of creating Cities of Opportunity • The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) have an entire goal dedicated to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) • One Billion people live in 60 Global Cities. With the UN expecting 75% of the world’s population to live in cities by 2050 • Cities account for 55% of the World's Population, 80% of the World’s GDP and 70% of Greenhouse Emissions • Of the Top 100 affluent economic actors – 42 of them are Cities • Important element in localised economic growth and development

11. Why Local Government and Municipalities in the International Sphere • Municipalities and especially Cities are a Nexus for Foreign Policy and Urbanization • Cities are Hubs for Trade/Export Connectivity: Airports, Ports and Transit Infrastructure • 2000 Global Cities and Districts account for 4000 Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

12. Why Local Government and Municipalities in the International Sphere • Urbanised areas especially cities have a critical mass of Globally connected, networked and competitive private sector entities • Some of the big technology companies like UBER and Air BnB need the locus of cities & towns in their business models • Several International Platforms exist for interaction and partnerships (Peer Diplomacy): Over 200 city networks, 25% meet annually & 44% formulate joint policies: • UCLG (United Cities and Local Government) – 240 000 Cities & Districts from 140 countries • C 40 (Climate Cities Network) • HABITAT 3 (Urban Agenda) • Global Parliament of Mayors (2016)

13. Why Local Government and Municipalities in the International Sphere • Megacities are becoming affluent players – especially in Climate Change (C40) & Immigration Discourse • Hubs for social development, immigration and cross-cultural creativity • Locus for Culture, Sport and Entertainment • Locus for innovation and technology • Locus for Big Data – Driving the 4th Industrial revolution

14. Why? Cities are economic and political powerhouses Globalization and market changes have made foreign policymaking a more inclusive and multilayered process

15. Why? Aware of their economic potential and faced with gridlock in national capitals, mayors and governors have gone a long way towards exercising political and economic power globally - WEF The international activism of cities and states is rapidly growing across the world, discreetly transforming diplomatic practices and the delivery of public services - WEF

17. How can Provinces, Cities & Municipalities Contribute to Economic Diplomacy • Create an Enabling Environment that is receptive to FDI attraction and utilization • Effective Marketing of Cities and Districts to remain Competitive • Create networks for local communities to have an International Voice (eg. Slums Networking Project) • Providing Infrastructure Support and Services in partnerships with National and Provincial Government with for Investment Attraction and Retention • Local Government programme participation in relevant plurilateral structures such as BRICS, IBSA, IORA …

18. Trade and Investment Enablers • Clear investment and sustainable trade strategies (sustainable economic activities) • Micro-financing facilities to incubate SMME’s • SMART and Responsive cities • Be responsive to Urbanisation Megatrends in: • Transport & Infrastructure • Innovation Incubators and Start-ups • Energy & Waste Management • Create Forums to Interact with local and international business

19. Provinces, Cities & Municipalities Need to: • Define clear strategies and coordinated approaches for attracting investments • Better deploy resources toward managing relationships and strategies at international level • Prioritize engagements to avoid both over-commitment and opportunistic, short-term ventures • Measure the impact and value of Municipal/City Diplomacy • Integrate local priorities & demands with international agendas • Strategically support Regional and National objectives – not act independently but rather in a complementary manner that supports SA’s foreign policy and international relations

20. How can Provinces, Cities & Municipalities Contribute to SA’s Economic Diplomacy • Create an Enabling Environment that is receptive to FDI attraction and utilization • Effective Marketing of Cities and Districts to remain Competitive • Create networks for local communities to have an International Voice (eg. Slums Networking Project) • Providing Infrastructure Support and Services in partnerships with National and Provincial Government with for Investment Attraction and Retention • Local Government programme participation in relevant structured groupings such as BRICS, IBSA …

21. Trade and Investment Enablers • Clear investment and sustainable trade strategies (sustainable economic activities) • Micro-financing facilities to incubate SMME’s • SMART and Responsive cities • Be responsive to Urbanisation Megatrends in: • Transport & Infrastructure • Innovation Incubators and Start-ups • Energy & Waster Management • Create Forums to Interact with local and international business

22. Provinces, Cities & Municipalities Need to: • Define a clear international strategy and coordinated approach • Better deploy resources toward managing international relationships and strategy • Prioritize engagements to avoid both over-commitment and opportunistic, short-term ventures • Measure the impact and value of Municipal/City Diplomacy • Integrate local priorities & demands with international agendas • Strategically support Regional and National objectives – not act independently but rather in a complementary manner that supports SA’s foreign policy and international relations