Local International Action as Public Policy

Over the past two decades, Mexican cities have evolved from passive actors in the international arena into key players in a new model of governance: local international action. Far from being an institutional trend, this shift reflects profound structural transformations driven by economic globalization, accelerated urbanization, and the growing need for local responses to global challenges such as climate change, migration, inequality, and economic competitiveness.

Today, more than 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, and nearly 60% of global GDP is generated by just 600 urban centers. In this context, traditional foreign policy—exercised exclusively by national governments—has proven insufficient to address the day-to-day challenges faced by territories. Cities, due to their proximity to citizens and their operational capacity, have become essential platforms for implementing global solutions at the local level.

In Mexico, the international engagement of local governments does not replace or compete with national foreign policy; rather, it complements and strengthens it. The Mexican Constitution clearly establishes that the conduct of foreign policy is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Executive. However, the 1992 Law on the Conclusion of Treatiescreated a critical legal space by authorizing states and municipalities to sign interinstitutional cooperation and sister-city agreements, within the scope of their competencies.

This legal framework has enabled Mexican cities to actively participate in international dynamics such as economic promotion, foreign direct investment attraction, technical cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges, diaspora engagement, and participation in international networks and multilateral forums. What is often referred to as “local diplomacy” or “subnational international action” has thus consolidated itself as a legitimate tool for territorial development.

 

Global Cities, Local Challenges

The growing internationalization of cities is not a discretionary choice but a structural response to globalization. Contemporary multilateral agendas—such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—explicitly recognize the role of local governments. It is estimated that approximately 65% of the Sustainable Development Goals depend directly or indirectly on local-level competencies.

In this scenario, cities lacking a clear international strategy face significant competitive disadvantages. Without global linkages, access to technical cooperation, international financing, urban innovation, governance best practices, or economic positioning becomes far more limited. Conversely, cities that conceive their international action as a strategic public policy, rather than a collection of isolated initiatives, achieve greater continuity, impact, and legitimacy.

One of the main challenges of local international action in Mexico has been moving beyond short-term or personality-driven initiatives. For years, many international activities depended solely on the personal networks of local leaders, informal relationships, or temporary political agendas. The ABC of the Internationalization of Mexican Citiesemphasizes that sustainable results depend on institutionalizing international action, equipping it with technical, financial, and human resources, as well as mechanisms for evaluation and accountability.

Viewing international action as public policy requires its integration into state or municipal development plans, its transversal coordination across government departments, and its construction with the active participation of local stakeholders: the private sector, academia, civil society, and organized citizens. It is not only about “going out into the world,” but also about bringing the world into the territory, aligning global opportunities with local priorities.

Mexican experience demonstrates that local international action can become a lever for economic development, social cohesion, and institutional strengthening. Cities that have embraced this approach have positioned themselves as logistics hubs, innovation centers, cultural destinations, or benchmarks for urban public policy.

In a global context marked by geopolitical uncertainty, public health crises, and environmental challenges, Mexican cities face a historic opportunity: to consolidate themselves as responsible, strategic international actors, aligned with national foreign policy priorities. Internationalization is no longer a luxury or a symbolic gesture—it is an essential tool for effective governance and for improving the well-being of local communities in an interconnected world.

The question is no longer whether cities should engage internationally, but how to do so in a strategic, institutional, and sustainable manner. Along this path, local international action emerges as a cornerstone of a new model of territorial governance in Mexico.

Written by: Editorial

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