Washington, DC – The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) today announced a new partnership to help elevate the important role mayors play in diplomacy and the ways local communities benefit from U.S. global leadership. The announcement came at the start of the USCM’s 92^nd Annual Winter Meeting in Washington, DC.

Under this new partnership, the USGLC and USCM will work together to elevate Mayoral voices on global issues through events, dialogues, messaging and more. This partnership will showcase the critical role America’s Mayors play in international leadership and engagement, and amplify mayoral voices on the impact of global leadership on local communities.

“Increasingly, mayors are establishing international partnerships and working to boost trade relationships with countries and cities abroad. We’re proud of this new partnership with USGLC which will help prevent isolationism and keep our U.S. economy strong and help promote local job growth,” said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director. 

“As we continue to promote local jobs and help our cities remain among the strongest in the world, mayors understand that growing global relationships is critical. We look forward to working with USGLC to support foreign policy and trade engagements with cities around the world,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chair of USCM’s International Affairs Committee. 

“American cities are increasingly global cities, and so it is vital that Mayors stay engaged in global affairs and foreign policy. We are excited for our new partnership with USGLC, as their expertise will help boost our diplomatic efforts at the city level,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Vice Chair of USCM’s International Affairs Committee and longtime USGLC Oklahoma State Advisory Committee member.

“There is nothing foreign about foreign policy anymore,” said USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer. “What is happening at kitchen tables in every city around our country is impacted by what is happening around the world – whether its climate change, global health, the fentanyl and opioid crisis, or our competitive global economy, given 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the U.S. Mayors get this better than most as some of the most knowledgeable, passionate and important voices at the frontline dealing with global issues that land on their front door every day. While Mayors have long been an active part of USGLC’s nationwide network we are thrilled to launch this new partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to help tell this story and support the importance of America’s engagement in the world.”

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