Diplomacy and the City | Stacy Danika Alcantara | TEDxSillimanU

last year I had the chance to live in

last year I had the chance to live in Geneva

Geneva

Geneva it’s a city commonly mistaken as the

it’s a city commonly mistaken as the

it’s a city commonly mistaken as the capital of Switzerland of course we all

capital of Switzerland of course we all

capital of Switzerland of course we all know that’s not the case because

know that’s not the case because

know that’s not the case because Baroness that is the capital of

Baroness that is the capital of

Baroness that is the capital of Switzerland this slick and cosmopolitan

Switzerland this slick and cosmopolitan

Switzerland this slick and cosmopolitan city is home to a riot of outspoken

city is home to a riot of outspoken

city is home to a riot of outspoken people speaking almost every language in

people speaking almost every language in

people speaking almost every language in the world

the world

the world Messiah included in fact where I went to

Messiah included in fact where I went to

Messiah included in fact where I went to school in in Geneva I met everyone from

school in in Geneva I met everyone from

school in in Geneva I met everyone from Albania all the way to Zimbabwe and I

Albania all the way to Zimbabwe and I

Albania all the way to Zimbabwe and I found that very fascinating Geneva is a

found that very fascinating Geneva is a

found that very fascinating Geneva is a global city it is a microcosm of the

global city it is a microcosm of the

global city it is a microcosm of the earth and everywhere you go you find a

earth and everywhere you go you find a

earth and everywhere you go you find a representative of every country in the

representative of every country in the

representative of every country in the world despite its size would you believe

world despite its size would you believe

world despite its size would you believe that Geneva is only half as big as

that Geneva is only half as big as

that Geneva is only half as big as Dumaguete City the second-largest city

Dumaguete City the second-largest city

Dumaguete City the second-largest city in Switzerland yes it is the second

in Switzerland yes it is the second

in Switzerland yes it is the second largest city in Switzerland packs quite

largest city in Switzerland packs quite

largest city in Switzerland packs quite a punch in global affairs it is home to

a punch in global affairs it is home to

a punch in global affairs it is home to more than 200 international

more than 200 international

more than 200 international organizations and non-governmental

organizations and non-governmental

organizations and non-governmental organizations such as the World Trade

organizations such as the World Trade

organizations such as the World Trade Organization the second largest branch

Organization the second largest branch

Organization the second largest branch of the World Bank the European

of the World Bank the European

of the World Bank the European headquarters of the United Nations the

headquarters of the United Nations the

headquarters of the United Nations the International Committee of the Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations

and other international organizations

and other international organizations more often than not the future of the

more often than not the future of the

more often than not the future of the world is discussed and decided in this

world is discussed and decided in this

world is discussed and decided in this tiny Swiss City now I would like to

tiny Swiss City now I would like to

tiny Swiss City now I would like to believe that Geneva has the capacity to

believe that Geneva has the capacity to

believe that Geneva has the capacity to forge international partnerships with

forge international partnerships with

forge international partnerships with other cities around the world thus

other cities around the world thus

other cities around the world thus bypassing the usual route often taken by

bypassing the usual route often taken by

bypassing the usual route often taken by the kind of diplomacy we are all very

the kind of diplomacy we are all very

the kind of diplomacy we are all very much familiar with another city I’d like

much familiar with another city I’d like

much familiar with another city I’d like to share with you is that it’s a very

to share with you is that it’s a very

to share with you is that it’s a very popular city and I had a chance to

popular city and I had a chance to

popular city and I had a chance to experience the same

experience the same

experience the same last year we have New York so New York

last year we have New York so New York

last year we have New York so New York never leaves people’s bucket lists and

never leaves people’s bucket lists and

never leaves people’s bucket lists and for a very good reason Broadway the

for a very good reason Broadway the

for a very good reason Broadway the chance to make the world listen to you

chance to make the world listen to you

chance to make the world listen to you dream jobs these are only a few of the

dream jobs these are only a few of the

dream jobs these are only a few of the many reasons why New York is often

many reasons why New York is often

many reasons why New York is often touted as the concrete jungle where

touted as the concrete jungle where

touted as the concrete jungle where dreams are made of so they weren’t

dreams are made of so they weren’t

dreams are made of so they weren’t kidding when they said that if you make

kidding when they said that if you make

kidding when they said that if you make it in New York you’re bound to make it

it in New York you’re bound to make it

it in New York you’re bound to make it anywhere around the world New York City

anywhere around the world New York City

anywhere around the world New York City is a trendsetter in many respects in

is a trendsetter in many respects in

is a trendsetter in many respects in fact when the United States opted out

fact when the United States opted out

fact when the United States opted out from the Paris Accords an international

from the Paris Accords an international

from the Paris Accords an international agreement bent on fighting climate

agreement bent on fighting climate

agreement bent on fighting climate change it was New York City Mayor

change it was New York City Mayor

change it was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who boldly stepped up

Michael Bloomberg who boldly stepped up

Michael Bloomberg who boldly stepped up and led other city mayors in the United

and led other city mayors in the United

and led other city mayors in the United States to declare that with or without

States to declare that with or without

States to declare that with or without the support of national government New

the support of national government New

the support of national government New York City and other cities in the United

York City and other cities in the United

York City and other cities in the United States are still taking climate action

States are still taking climate action

States are still taking climate action to an entirely different level this

to an entirely different level this

to an entirely different level this movement has spread like a wildfire all

movement has spread like a wildfire all

movement has spread like a wildfire all over the world today cities are

over the world today cities are

over the world today cities are realizing just how much power and

realizing just how much power and

realizing just how much power and potential they hold in their hands to

potential they hold in their hands to

potential they hold in their hands to make a difference and this is just the

make a difference and this is just the

make a difference and this is just the beginning it is predicted that in the

beginning it is predicted that in the

beginning it is predicted that in the coming decades civis ISM the pride and

coming decades civis ISM the pride and

coming decades civis ISM the pride and loyalty to one city will take precedence

loyalty to one city will take precedence

loyalty to one city will take precedence over nationalism what does this mean

over nationalism what does this mean

over nationalism what does this mean this means for example that there will

this means for example that there will

this means for example that there will be a growing consciousness among people

be a growing consciousness among people

be a growing consciousness among people like you and me to identify ourselves as

like you and me to identify ourselves as

like you and me to identify ourselves as DiMaggio Tanya’s first Filipino second

DiMaggio Tanya’s first Filipino second

DiMaggio Tanya’s first Filipino second but where the city’s draw so much power

but where the city’s draw so much power

but where the city’s draw so much power confidence and influence from three

confidence and influence from three

confidence and influence from three things first people more than half of

things first people more than half of

things first people more than half of humanity currently lives in cities for

humanity currently lives in cities for

humanity currently lives in cities for work education and of course for

work education and of course for

work education and of course for opportunities in fact it is predicted

opportunities in fact it is predicted

opportunities in fact it is predicted that by 25

that by 25

that by 25 be close to one third of the entire

be close to one third of the entire

be close to one third of the entire earth will live in urban areas as more

earth will live in urban areas as more

earth will live in urban areas as more people move the city’s cities will

people move the city’s cities will

people move the city’s cities will experience a tremendous amount of Brain

experience a tremendous amount of Brain

experience a tremendous amount of Brain Gain the more people cities attract the

Gain the more people cities attract the

Gain the more people cities attract the more expertise and talent they will have

more expertise and talent they will have

more expertise and talent they will have at its own disposal this deep pool of

at its own disposal this deep pool of

at its own disposal this deep pool of creativity fuels a city’s economic

creativity fuels a city’s economic

creativity fuels a city’s economic activity as economic activity ramps up

activity as economic activity ramps up

activity as economic activity ramps up cities become stronger magnets

cities become stronger magnets

cities become stronger magnets attracting talent knowledge and

attracting talent knowledge and

attracting talent knowledge and expertise regardless of whether you look

expertise regardless of whether you look

expertise regardless of whether you look at it from the local or global

at it from the local or global

at it from the local or global perspective one thing is for sure people

perspective one thing is for sure people

perspective one thing is for sure people our country’s greatest reserves of power

our country’s greatest reserves of power

our country’s greatest reserves of power second innovation now because cities

second innovation now because cities

second innovation now because cities attract a diversity of people it

attract a diversity of people it

attract a diversity of people it naturally becomes a birthplace of ideas

naturally becomes a birthplace of ideas

naturally becomes a birthplace of ideas that change the world Austrian economist

that change the world Austrian economist

that change the world Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter calls it the gales of

Joseph Schumpeter calls it the gales of

Joseph Schumpeter calls it the gales of creative destruction and these gales

creative destruction and these gales

creative destruction and these gales they blow first in cities rendering

they blow first in cities rendering

they blow first in cities rendering politics science technology culture and

politics science technology culture and

politics science technology culture and the arts totally unrecognizable in a

the arts totally unrecognizable in a

the arts totally unrecognizable in a matter of years the Silicon Valley mega

matter of years the Silicon Valley mega

matter of years the Silicon Valley mega city cluster for example in California

city cluster for example in California

city cluster for example in California gave birth to Google Facebook Twitter

gave birth to Google Facebook Twitter

gave birth to Google Facebook Twitter which has changed the way we connect

which has changed the way we connect

which has changed the way we connect with each other as well as the way we

with each other as well as the way we

with each other as well as the way we consume information so I remember back

consume information so I remember back

consume information so I remember back then in order for us to get our daily

then in order for us to get our daily

then in order for us to get our daily serving of news and current events we

serving of news and current events we

serving of news and current events we would either buy a newspaper or scramble

would either buy a newspaper or scramble

would either buy a newspaper or scramble in front of the television today thanks

in front of the television today thanks

in front of the television today thanks to social media and of course our

to social media and of course our

to social media and of course our smartphones we don’t need to do that we

smartphones we don’t need to do that we

smartphones we don’t need to do that we can easily find out what our neighbor is

can easily find out what our neighbor is

can easily find out what our neighbor is having for dinner or what agreement a

having for dinner or what agreement a

having for dinner or what agreement a world leader is signing next as these

world leader is signing next as these

world leader is signing next as these events unfold

events unfold

events unfold third well cities drive the world

third well cities drive the world

third well cities drive the world economy 600 of the world’s most

economy 600 of the world’s most

economy 600 of the world’s most prosperous cities power more than half

prosperous cities power more than half

prosperous cities power more than half of the go

of the go

of the go economy some cities even have a larger

economy some cities even have a larger

economy some cities even have a larger economic output than entire countries

economic output than entire countries

economic output than entire countries and let me give you a few examples of

and let me give you a few examples of

and let me give you a few examples of that we have Paris for example it has a

that we have Paris for example it has a

that we have Paris for example it has a larger GDP than South Africa Beijing

larger GDP than South Africa Beijing

larger GDP than South Africa Beijing contributes more to the world economy

contributes more to the world economy

contributes more to the world economy than say Sweden Seoul churns out a

than say Sweden Seoul churns out a

than say Sweden Seoul churns out a higher GDP than Malaysia and you know

higher GDP than Malaysia and you know

higher GDP than Malaysia and you know what it’s like in international affairs

what it’s like in international affairs

what it’s like in international affairs the bigger your economic muscles are the

the bigger your economic muscles are the

the bigger your economic muscles are the louder your voice is on the global

louder your voice is on the global

louder your voice is on the global negotiation table yet despite how

negotiation table yet despite how

negotiation table yet despite how powerful and influential cities have

powerful and influential cities have

powerful and influential cities have become cities are hitting a glass

become cities are hitting a glass

become cities are hitting a glass ceiling and this is because

ceiling and this is because

ceiling and this is because international relations is still largely

international relations is still largely

international relations is still largely inter national between and among states

inter national between and among states

inter national between and among states with the national government still

with the national government still

with the national government still calling the shots cities are still

calling the shots cities are still

calling the shots cities are still generally disconnected from ministries

generally disconnected from ministries

generally disconnected from ministries of Foreign Affairs and this limits the

of Foreign Affairs and this limits the

of Foreign Affairs and this limits the ability of cities to unleash their

ability of cities to unleash their

ability of cities to unleash their potential in helping a country

potential in helping a country

potential in helping a country successfully meet its time-bound global

successfully meet its time-bound global

successfully meet its time-bound global commitments so in order for cities to go

commitments so in order for cities to go

commitments so in order for cities to go full-speed in international affairs

full-speed in international affairs

full-speed in international affairs perhaps it’s high time for cities to

perhaps it’s high time for cities to

perhaps it’s high time for cities to beef up their ability to conduct

beef up their ability to conduct

beef up their ability to conduct diplomacy and to craft their own foreign

diplomacy and to craft their own foreign

diplomacy and to craft their own foreign policy now I’d like to make this clear I

policy now I’d like to make this clear I

policy now I’d like to make this clear I am not advocating for cities to totally

am not advocating for cities to totally

am not advocating for cities to totally replace ministries of Foreign Affairs as

replace ministries of Foreign Affairs as

replace ministries of Foreign Affairs as the chief architects of a nation’s

the chief architects of a nation’s

the chief architects of a nation’s foreign policy it’s far from it what I

foreign policy it’s far from it what I

foreign policy it’s far from it what I am suggesting is a synergy cities can

am suggesting is a synergy cities can

am suggesting is a synergy cities can create an office of international

create an office of international

create an office of international affairs within City Hall while the

affairs within City Hall while the

affairs within City Hall while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Department of Foreign Affairs as some

Department of Foreign Affairs as some

Department of Foreign Affairs as some countries have it can at the same time

countries have it can at the same time

countries have it can at the same time create an office that will play a

create an office that will play a

create an office that will play a collaborating role in unleashing the

collaborating role in unleashing the

collaborating role in unleashing the power of City diplomacy developing

power of City diplomacy developing

power of City diplomacy developing strategies that will empower cities and

strategies that will empower cities and

strategies that will empower cities and at the same time strengthen the

at the same time strengthen the

at the same time strengthen the relationship between country level and

relationship between country level and

relationship between country level and city level diplomacy will ultimately

city level diplomacy will ultimately

city level diplomacy will ultimately prove

prove

prove to be a more resilient foreign affairs

to be a more resilient foreign affairs

to be a more resilient foreign affairs model in the coming years so here’s what

model in the coming years so here’s what

model in the coming years so here’s what I have in mind in order to make this

I have in mind in order to make this

I have in mind in order to make this work out ministries of Foreign Affairs

work out ministries of Foreign Affairs

work out ministries of Foreign Affairs can create an office of City diplomacy

can create an office of City diplomacy

can create an office of City diplomacy to work closely with cities and to

to work closely with cities and to

to work closely with cities and to enhance coordination between the

enhance coordination between the

enhance coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local governments in managing trade and

governments in managing trade and

governments in managing trade and investment ties sister city linkages and

investment ties sister city linkages and

investment ties sister city linkages and other urban initiatives link towards

other urban initiatives link towards

other urban initiatives link towards fulfilling international commitments

fulfilling international commitments

fulfilling international commitments such as the 2030 agenda for sustainable

such as the 2030 agenda for sustainable

such as the 2030 agenda for sustainable development the Sendai framework habitat

development the Sendai framework habitat

development the Sendai framework habitat 3 and the Paris Accords the office of

3 and the Paris Accords the office of

3 and the Paris Accords the office of city diplomacy must meet regularly with

city diplomacy must meet regularly with

city diplomacy must meet regularly with the different representatives from city

the different representatives from city

the different representatives from city halls Foreign Affairs office as well as

halls Foreign Affairs office as well as

halls Foreign Affairs office as well as representatives from other relevant

representatives from other relevant

representatives from other relevant offices within the Ministry of Foreign

offices within the Ministry of Foreign

offices within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as the Office of public

Affairs such as the Office of public

Affairs such as the Office of public diplomacy to make sure that everyone and

diplomacy to make sure that everyone and

diplomacy to make sure that everyone and I mean everyone is on the same page why

I mean everyone is on the same page why

I mean everyone is on the same page why is why is this important it’s because a

is why is this important it’s because a

is why is this important it’s because a robust and coherent communication

robust and coherent communication

robust and coherent communication strategy is critical when cities want to

strategy is critical when cities want to

strategy is critical when cities want to engage with international partners and

engage with international partners and

engage with international partners and at the same time when the country the

at the same time when the country the

at the same time when the country the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to

Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to

Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to promote the urban agenda in

promote the urban agenda in

promote the urban agenda in international fora such as the United

international fora such as the United

international fora such as the United Nations the ministry can also play a

Nations the ministry can also play a

Nations the ministry can also play a recommend Ettore role by recommending to

recommend Ettore role by recommending to

recommend Ettore role by recommending to city diplomats the possible areas where

city diplomats the possible areas where

city diplomats the possible areas where our city for example dumaguete city can

our city for example dumaguete city can

our city for example dumaguete city can collaborate with and make things happen

collaborate with and make things happen

collaborate with and make things happen with other cities such as New York

with other cities such as New York

with other cities such as New York ministries of Foreign Affairs will gain

ministries of Foreign Affairs will gain

ministries of Foreign Affairs will gain from a closer relationship with city

from a closer relationship with city

from a closer relationship with city governments in the sense that country

governments in the sense that country

governments in the sense that country level diplomacy will have a better

level diplomacy will have a better

level diplomacy will have a better perspective of the local dimension of

perspective of the local dimension of

perspective of the local dimension of international issues for example how do

international issues for example how do

international issues for example how do agreements and say health agriculture

agreements and say health agriculture

agreements and say health agriculture education makes sense to cities like

education makes sense to cities like

education makes sense to cities like Cebu Tacloban dumaguete Davao these are

Cebu Tacloban dumaguete Davao these are

Cebu Tacloban dumaguete Davao these are important perspectives that are often

important perspectives that are often

important perspectives that are often missed out because

missed out because

missed out because country level diplomacy almost often

country level diplomacy almost often

country level diplomacy almost often makes a broad and sweeping view for

makes a broad and sweeping view for

makes a broad and sweeping view for foreign policy to be felt by the people

foreign policy to be felt by the people

foreign policy to be felt by the people it must be brought closer to the people

it must be brought closer to the people

it must be brought closer to the people the establishment of a specialized

the establishment of a specialized

the establishment of a specialized office to empower cities in global

office to empower cities in global

office to empower cities in global affairs

affairs

affairs it’s only one side of the coin the

it’s only one side of the coin the

it’s only one side of the coin the success of this endeavor also rests

success of this endeavor also rests

success of this endeavor also rests heavily on the creation of the office of

heavily on the creation of the office of

heavily on the creation of the office of Foreign Affairs within city hall yet

Foreign Affairs within city hall yet

Foreign Affairs within city hall yet before cities can create an office of

before cities can create an office of

before cities can create an office of Foreign Affairs cities need to think

Foreign Affairs cities need to think

Foreign Affairs cities need to think about how it can harness the a khadeem

about how it can harness the a khadeem

about how it can harness the a khadeem its diverse population the media

its diverse population the media

its diverse population the media businesses everything that shapes its

businesses everything that shapes its

businesses everything that shapes its entire identity in such a way that it

entire identity in such a way that it

entire identity in such a way that it will be able to tell a compelling story

will be able to tell a compelling story

will be able to tell a compelling story bridging this city to the rest of the

bridging this city to the rest of the

bridging this city to the rest of the international community this point to

international community this point to

international community this point to ponder can prove to be an important

ponder can prove to be an important

ponder can prove to be an important springboard when cities want to create

springboard when cities want to create

springboard when cities want to create ties with the rest of the world so today

ties with the rest of the world so today

ties with the rest of the world so today I want to start by letting you ask two

I want to start by letting you ask two

I want to start by letting you ask two questions number one what story do I

questions number one what story do I

questions number one what story do I want my city to tell the rest of the

want my city to tell the rest of the

want my city to tell the rest of the world and second why should the rest of

world and second why should the rest of

world and second why should the rest of the world listen to my city this effort

the world listen to my city this effort

the world listen to my city this effort requires the city to develop a strong

requires the city to develop a strong

requires the city to develop a strong framework to support its global vision

framework to support its global vision

framework to support its global vision City Hall’s office of foreign affairs

City Hall’s office of foreign affairs

City Hall’s office of foreign affairs must work closely with a mayor in

must work closely with a mayor in

must work closely with a mayor in coordinating with a foreign ministry’s

coordinating with a foreign ministry’s

coordinating with a foreign ministry’s office of city diplomacy and in

office of city diplomacy and in

office of city diplomacy and in strengthening the city’s international

strengthening the city’s international

strengthening the city’s international thighs once concrete ways of working

thighs once concrete ways of working

thighs once concrete ways of working have been developed cities will need to

have been developed cities will need to

have been developed cities will need to formally establish their presence

formally establish their presence

formally establish their presence overseas cities can achieve this by

overseas cities can achieve this by

overseas cities can achieve this by deploying city diplomats in other cities

deploying city diplomats in other cities

deploying city diplomats in other cities where it has key strategic interests

where it has key strategic interests

where it has key strategic interests this also means that the city mayor and

this also means that the city mayor and

this also means that the city mayor and other officials must travel overseas

other officials must travel overseas

other officials must travel overseas regularly to meet with our counterparts

regularly to meet with our counterparts

regularly to meet with our counterparts to discuss how they can make things

to discuss how they can make things

to discuss how they can make things happen for both of their cities this is

happen for both of their cities this is

happen for both of their cities this is an initiative that cities like Toronto

an initiative that cities like Toronto

an initiative that cities like Toronto for example have already done today City

for example have already done today City

for example have already done today City Hall’s office of foreign affairs will

Hall’s office of foreign affairs will

Hall’s office of foreign affairs will play a critical role

play a critical role

play a critical role not only in attracting investments

not only in attracting investments

not only in attracting investments talent and travelers but more

talent and travelers but more

talent and travelers but more importantly in helping local

importantly in helping local

importantly in helping local constituents better understand how

constituents better understand how

constituents better understand how international issues and their country’s

international issues and their country’s

international issues and their country’s foreign policy make sense in their daily

foreign policy make sense in their daily

foreign policy make sense in their daily lives

lives

lives cities can help ministries of Foreign

cities can help ministries of Foreign

cities can help ministries of Foreign Affairs understand why citizens like you

Affairs understand why citizens like you

Affairs understand why citizens like you and me feel a certain way about certain

and me feel a certain way about certain

and me feel a certain way about certain global affairs issues

global affairs issues

global affairs issues this will help ministries in creating

this will help ministries in creating

this will help ministries in creating and recalibrating strategic and tactical

and recalibrating strategic and tactical

and recalibrating strategic and tactical plans to advance gnashed national

plans to advance gnashed national

plans to advance gnashed national interests which is truly a

interests which is truly a

interests which is truly a representative of what we need as a

representative of what we need as a

representative of what we need as a people working closely with city

people working closely with city

people working closely with city governments will help the national

governments will help the national

governments will help the national government localize international

government localize international

government localize international development targets by crafting action

development targets by crafting action

development targets by crafting action plans from the bottom up this ensures

plans from the bottom up this ensures

plans from the bottom up this ensures that plants are more responsive and that

that plants are more responsive and that

that plants are more responsive and that they truly represent what everyone needs

they truly represent what everyone needs

they truly represent what everyone needs instead of fighting over the same piece

instead of fighting over the same piece

instead of fighting over the same piece of pie cities and national governments

of pie cities and national governments

of pie cities and national governments can take on diplomatic activities that

can take on diplomatic activities that

can take on diplomatic activities that complement each other thereby amplifying

complement each other thereby amplifying

complement each other thereby amplifying each other’s efforts both the city and

each other’s efforts both the city and

each other’s efforts both the city and the national government will stand to

the national government will stand to

the national government will stand to gain from this arrangement cities

gain from this arrangement cities

gain from this arrangement cities represents something that is closer to

represents something that is closer to

represents something that is closer to the everyday lives of citizens where the

the everyday lives of citizens where the

the everyday lives of citizens where the national government can help give cities

national government can help give cities

national government can help give cities a boost by linking the local to the

a boost by linking the local to the

a boost by linking the local to the global

global

global cities can therefore significantly help

cities can therefore significantly help

cities can therefore significantly help the national government achieve the

the national government achieve the

the national government achieve the city’s global commitments especially on

city’s global commitments especially on

city’s global commitments especially on a range of issues such as peace and

a range of issues such as peace and

a range of issues such as peace and security equality economic growth

security equality economic growth

security equality economic growth conversely City stunts again by having a

conversely City stunts again by having a

conversely City stunts again by having a clear and formal structure integrating

clear and formal structure integrating

clear and formal structure integrating the national governments Ministry of

the national governments Ministry of

the national governments Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the city or to the

Foreign Affairs to the city or to the

Foreign Affairs to the city or to the local government and through the

local government and through the

local government and through the strength of these connections it can

strength of these connections it can

strength of these connections it can fully equip both city and national

fully equip both city and national

fully equip both city and national government as we hurtle into the future

government as we hurtle into the future

government as we hurtle into the future cities can lead and developing local

cities can lead and developing local

cities can lead and developing local salut

salut

salut and forging partnerships aimed at

and forging partnerships aimed at

and forging partnerships aimed at achieving the 2030 agenda for

achieving the 2030 agenda for

achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development which require

sustainable development which require

sustainable development which require urban solutions cities can also help in

urban solutions cities can also help in

urban solutions cities can also help in promoting art culture and even tourism

promoting art culture and even tourism

promoting art culture and even tourism internationally because whether we like

internationally because whether we like

internationally because whether we like it or not each city has a distinct

it or not each city has a distinct

it or not each city has a distinct personality that must be marketed and it

personality that must be marketed and it

personality that must be marketed and it must be told to the rest of the world

must be told to the rest of the world

must be told to the rest of the world which is independent from the rest of

which is independent from the rest of

which is independent from the rest of the country the greatest challenge lies

the country the greatest challenge lies

the country the greatest challenge lies in garnering enough political support

in garnering enough political support

in garnering enough political support from its citizens and changing the

from its citizens and changing the

from its citizens and changing the mindset of city leaders on the global

mindset of city leaders on the global

mindset of city leaders on the global nature of cities today the success of

nature of cities today the success of

nature of cities today the success of City diplomacy rests on convincing

City diplomacy rests on convincing

City diplomacy rests on convincing citizens that each of us has a role to

citizens that each of us has a role to

citizens that each of us has a role to play in global affairs September 2015

play in global affairs September 2015

play in global affairs September 2015 marked an important milestone in the

marked an important milestone in the

marked an important milestone in the global development agenda the year

global development agenda the year

global development agenda the year marked the beginning of our collective

marked the beginning of our collective

marked the beginning of our collective journey towards achieving the most

journey towards achieving the most

journey towards achieving the most aspirational goals to date the 2030

aspirational goals to date the 2030

aspirational goals to date the 2030 agenda for sustainable development

agenda for sustainable development

agenda for sustainable development spanning 17 sustainable development

spanning 17 sustainable development

spanning 17 sustainable development goals and 169 underpinning targets these

goals and 169 underpinning targets these

goals and 169 underpinning targets these address the greatest challenges of our

address the greatest challenges of our

address the greatest challenges of our time the SDGs are intertwined and

time the SDGs are intertwined and

time the SDGs are intertwined and indivisible this means only one thing

indivisible this means only one thing

indivisible this means only one thing that everyone is required to join in

that everyone is required to join in

that everyone is required to join in that all hands need to be on deck all

that all hands need to be on deck all

that all hands need to be on deck all these cities and many other key areas

these cities and many other key areas

these cities and many other key areas that they cover innovation economic

that they cover innovation economic

that they cover innovation economic growth equality organization climate

growth equality organization climate

growth equality organization climate change these are among the global goals

change these are among the global goals

change these are among the global goals thus makes cities crucial not only as

thus makes cities crucial not only as

thus makes cities crucial not only as focal points in the sustainable

focal points in the sustainable

focal points in the sustainable development agenda but as key sectors in

development agenda but as key sectors in

development agenda but as key sectors in helping us achieve the future that we

helping us achieve the future that we

helping us achieve the future that we want however in order for us to achieve

want however in order for us to achieve

want however in order for us to achieve this on the dot our cities need to make

this on the dot our cities need to make

this on the dot our cities need to make their voices heard on the global

their voices heard on the global

their voices heard on the global negotiation table we all live in

negotiation table we all live in

negotiation table we all live in that are considered the new normal what

that are considered the new normal what

that are considered the new normal what we need is a radical shift from the

we need is a radical shift from the

we need is a radical shift from the business-as-usual approach in order for

business-as-usual approach in order for

business-as-usual approach in order for us to overcome our existential

us to overcome our existential

us to overcome our existential challenges empowering cities as major

challenges empowering cities as major

challenges empowering cities as major players in global affairs and developing

players in global affairs and developing

players in global affairs and developing a concrete framework to strengthen the

a concrete framework to strengthen the

a concrete framework to strengthen the ties binding country level and City

ties binding country level and City

ties binding country level and City diplomacy represents this radical yet

diplomacy represents this radical yet

diplomacy represents this radical yet necessary shift as cities gain more

necessary shift as cities gain more

necessary shift as cities gain more power and influence in the coming year

power and influence in the coming year

power and influence in the coming year cities will cease to be mere spectators

cities will cease to be mere spectators

cities will cease to be mere spectators in global affairs rather cities

in global affairs rather cities

in global affairs rather cities Dumaguete City included cities are

Dumaguete City included cities are

Dumaguete City included cities are poised to become important players and

poised to become important players and

poised to become important players and the country’s most important partner in

the country’s most important partner in

the country’s most important partner in enabling all of us to achieve the future

enabling all of us to achieve the future

enabling all of us to achieve the future we have always dreamed of thank you

we have always dreamed of thank you

we have always dreamed of thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]