Barcelona City Council

Dear Pau,

During all the trips and work we have shared, we have seen first-hand that Barcelona is a reference around the world.

Barcelona has a long tradition of international commitment and solidarity in such diverse areas as urban planning, culture, sport, science and diplomacy. This policy of projection has had a positive effect on city residents with regard to their economic progress and educational and employment opportunities. For us, the values of opening up the city and solidarity go hand in hand.

Now it is time to continue consolidating and expanding this spirit and orientation towards the exterior. While Barcelona is already part of a dense network of European cities, being home to Euro-Mediterranean institutions and serving as a link to Latin America, it is also time to begin a drive towards other continents, especially Asia. A global city must have a truly global vocation for tackling such major challenges as decarbonisation, digital transition and the fight against inequalities.

Therefore, as Commissioner for International Relations and City Promotion, you should focus on the following priorities:

• Working to revitalise Barcelona’s capacity for leadership. Reactivating Barcelona’s role as a Mediterranean city. Presenting our candidacy to be the “special guest” at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico. Providing support for reforming European treaties in order to create a committee of cities, so that they may form part of the Union’s consultation and decision-making processes.
• Coordinating the improvement of our official connections network with other cities. This will be of use in sharing experiences and knowledge and improving the quality of governance. Designing a major meeting of world cities to tackle today’s challenges, on the way to celebrating the centenary of the 1929 Universal Exposition.
• Fostering the international promotion of the city in order to increase our economic possibilities. Programming a calendar of major international events with all international stakeholders in order to continue attracting conferences from abroad. In parallel, expanding the activities of Barcelona’s International Welcome Desk in order to facilitate investments in the city. Supporting initiatives that improve our international connectivity, especially with Asia.
• Fostering our introduction into strategic international areas. Opening new “Barcelona antennas” in cities or regions of special interest to Barcelona, in collaboration with ACCIÓ and ICEX. These offices are dedicated to defending the interests of the city and its stakeholders, as well as acting as sensors to capture innovative trends that can be of interest to the city.

I am sure that you will find the right strategy and alliances to reconnect Barcelona with the rest of the world.

Kind regards,