The 2025 Forum will spotlight how local approaches can drive change within a global context defined by increased geopolitical competition and slow progress on global agendas. With a special focus on the Global Gateway Strategy and its 360° approach, the Forum will highlight the vital role of local and regional authorities in advancing the Team Europe approach and accelerating the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Since its first edition in 2009, the Cities and Regions for International Partnerships Forum has become the major global event for international decentralised cooperation and local development action, bringing together local and regional authorities (LRAs) from both the EU and partner countries. Held every two years and co-organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), in collaboration with other DGs and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the Forum provides a unique space for policy dialogue, practical exchanges, networking and partnerships building. It puts the local perspective at the heart of EU’s international partnerships and development cooperation.
The 2025 Forum will showcase the unique added value that LRAs bring to the EU’s international partnerships and sustainable development efforts - with a strong focus on p the Global Gateway investment strategy and its 360° approach, including actions in fragile contexts.
To this end, the Forum gather key local and regional elected representatives and officials already engaged or eager to engage in Global Gateway flagship projects, creating new opportunities for cooperation between LRAs in the EU and in partner countries. Through this approach, the Forum will serve as a space to identify opportunities for LRAs to contribute more effectively to the Global Gateway Strategy. Linked to the CoR’s plenary session, where the CoR opinion The Localisation of the EU's Global Gateway will be adopted, the Forum provides further political endorsement by the CoR for the role of LRAs in the Global Gateway. Additionally, it will offer a unique platform to forge direct partnerships between for EU and partner countries authorities, further reinforcing the Team Europe approach.
The Forum is by invitation only – the Forum has reached full capacity, no new invitation can be issued at this stage. A webstreaming link will be provided to follow the sessions online