Milan mirrors itself in the world

Milan is host to 91 consulates, 16 commercial offices of foreign governments, 34 offices or touristic domestic associations of foreign governments, 17 bilateral Chambers of Commerce. These data put the city among the non-capital cities with the greatest number of consular presences in the world (the second after NYC) and prove its international prestige. Through the co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Milan shares an executive programme for the promotion of the Milan System and its competitiveness through the PROMOS seats of representation in New York, Mexico City, Cairo, Moscow, Shanghai, San Paolo and Tokio, that make it already present and active on

the international scene.

As a testimony of Milan’s worldwide importance, from 1997 to 2005 the City of Milano could meet 29 Heads of State and Government (among which Queen Elizabeth II of England, the President of the People’s Republic of China Jang Zemin, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the King and Queen of Jordan); 144 foreign Mayors; 75 delegations of foreign governments; 87 city delegations. Moreover, 4 twinning agreements have been signed (with the City of Bethlehem, Cracow, Melbourne, Toronto) and 10 bilateral agreements with foreign cities. 60 missions abroad and 35 initiatives of urban marketing have been carried out. Milan and Lombardy can thus count on a network of independent relations, able to actively promote its bidding for the Expo within various sectors worldwide, and that will be furtherly enhanced by the diplomatic action by MAE and ICE.

As a result of a long lasting tradition of decentralized co-operation Milan also focuses its attention on the developing countries. In recent years, many NGOs, Charities, Milanese associations, Universities, Institutes and Research centers have benefited from the cooperation with the Municipality of Milan in terms of co-financing or aid for co-operation projects.

The City’s resources have been allocated to Eastern Europe (22%), Africa (20%), Latin America (14%), the Middle East (11%), Asia (7%).

It has studied and financed 60 cooperation projects in 18 Countries. The City of Milan has worked with 40 international Newss. Finally, it has organized and contributed to realizing 20 conventions dedicated to co-operation, solidarity and dialogue. Milan will therefore also

be a reliable News for the developing Countries that represent an important share within the BIE General Assembly.