Mayors as ambassadors

“Regardless of where we live, mayors speak the same language.” This is the firm conviction of David Holt, a Republican and the mayor of Oklahoma City. In October 2025, the 46-year-old came to Bremen along with mayors of other American cities to share experiences with their German counterparts. Affordable housing and urban safety were discussed, as was the question of how cities could remain economically dynamic and innovative. Direct transatlantic exchange was the order of the day, with no role being played by nationality or party affiliation. 

The conference was funded by the Federal Foreign Office, and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed the great potential cities have as political actors: “Cities, be they big or small, are catalysts of economic growth; they find innovative, tailor-made and local solutions to global problems.”

Urban diplomacy - pragmatic solutions

The conference in Bremen is an example of successful urban diplomacy: a special form of international cooperation. Cities and municipalities cooperate directly, beyond the sphere of conventional government diplomacy. Climate change, migration, housing shortages, mobility, civilian security - these are problems that affect cities worldwide. And because they feel the impact directly, they often find more pragmatic solutions than nation states do. Exchange takes place via conferences, official visits and project cooperation. In this way, cities become actors that shape international policy.

German cities and their transatlantic partners

Germany and the USA in particular breathe life into urban diplomacy. The two countries are linked by more than 200 city twinning agreements. Dortmund and Pittsburgh are a prime example of the concrete form this can take. A post-industrial backstory links the two cities: once centres of steel and coal production, they both had to reinvent themselves following the decline of heavy industry. Since 2022, they have been sharing ideas and experiences via their innovation and climate partnership - with tangible results: cooperation in the areas of hydrogen technology and the food transition are on the agenda alongside efforts to link the two cities’ universities and start-ups.