This book presents an accessible overview of the seven key concepts of city diplomacy (development cooperation, peacekeeping, economy, innovation, environment, culture, and migration). The book discusses its scope and challenges, maps the actors involved along with their interaction and offers suggestions for available tools and outcomes. Each chapter includes an analysis of a selection of best practices. The book successfully combines theory with practical evidence and will be an invaluable reference for students and researchers of international relations and urban studies looking for a comprehensive and updated analysis of the multifaceted international action of cities. The book will also be of interest to practitioners and city officials responsible for the design and implementation of impactful diplomatic strategies.
"All chapters provide multiple examples of city diplomacy, its successes and failures. The narration is well structured, the main ideas are always signposted in bullet-points. ... the monograph is exceptionally up to date: despite having being finalised in spring 2020, it has incorporated multiple examples of and reflections on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on city diplomacy in different fields." (Ekaterina Mikhailova, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, Vol. 17, 2022)