Multilevel governance recognizes that global challenges — from climate change to migration — cannot be solved by national governments alone. Today, cities, regions, and local authorities are key actors in shaping policies that affect both people and the planet.

Through interconnected systems of local, national, and international decision-making, cities engage in a shared governance structure where responsibilities and resources are distributed across different levels. This cooperation ensures that local realities inform global strategies, and global commitments are translated into tangible local actions.

City diplomacy plays a vital role in this process. By building networks of trust and coordination among multiple layers of government, it enables cities to influence international agendas and strengthen democratic governance from the bottom up. In doing so, city diplomacy turns global goals into local realities.