PITTSBURGH, PA (November 11, 2021) The Cities of Pittsburgh and Glasgow finalized their exciting new partnership as sister cities in-person today, following a virtual signing ceremony last year. The meeting today between Mayor William Peduto and Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken formalizes a long-valued relationship between the two cities and is the next step in creating a strong connection between Pittsburgh and Glasgow.
Pittsburgh and Glasgow were both forged in an industrial past, situated on rivers, and are poised to lead the way on shared goals around environmental, racial justice, and economic and social equity agendas. The cities’ share leadership and goals in innovation, environmental sustainability, racial justice and economic and social equity in health, and wellbeing.
“The long-established Scottish connection to Pittsburgh has been strengthened in recent years as we’ve shared the challenges of industrial heritage, built a renewed strength through a shared resilience journey and now seek to collaborate further through a sister cities arrangement. We are working together to address issues of climate change, health inequality and building more equitable prosperity," Mayor William Peduto said.
This historic in-person signing comes while Glasgow is hosting the COP26, which Mayor Peduto and a Pittsburgh delegation are attending. The teams in Pittsburgh and Glasgow that have been working on this sister city relationship have been developing climate, innovation and sustainability goals together.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken said: “Glasgow and Pittsburgh were titans of the industrial age – with global reputations for ships, built on the Clyde, and the mills that lined the rivers of the Steel City. Both endured very similar slumps in our fortunes as heavy industry faltered. Many thousands of jobs were lost; populations declined, and the health of citizens suffered. What is arguably more remarkable is the way our cities have fought back from these challenges over recent decades; with both drawing on their resilience to address the economic, social and physical legacies of our industrial past."
“We have already learned a lot from each other," Leader Aitken continued, "but this partnership will draw Glasgow and Pittsburgh closer together than ever before – and provides an opportunity for us to show real leadership on the climate emergency and building back from the Covid-19 pandemic in a way that prioritizes economic, social and environmental justice for all our people."
Pittsburgh currently has Sister Cities in 18 different countries. Cities with active engagement beyond Glasgow include Saitama City, Japan; Bilbao, Spain; Wuhan, China; and Da Nang, Vietnam. Glasgow has recently established partner and frontrunner city relationships with Santiago, Chile and Berlin, Germany.
“Now more than ever it is important for cities to have strong global partners. By partnering with cities like Glasgow, Pittsburgh can promote our innovation economy to the world and open up opportunities for our region. We are excited to work with the team in Glasgow and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship” said Grant Ervin, the City of Pittsburgh’s Chief Resilience Officer.
This new partnership came about with the assistance of the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh (SCAP). SCAP, like other like organizations across the US and world; seeks beneficial two-way partnerships with cities across the globe through economic, cultural and educational exchanges with cities that share commonalities, challenges and opportunities.
ABOUT SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGH
Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh connects the Pittsburgh region with international partner cities to develop mutually beneficial relationships in the area of commerce, education and culture; and to work together to address and solve global challenges facing cities of tomorrow.
