International Relations
Basel is a location with an international outlook. Its sectors in business, education, research, innovation, culture, and public administration work closely with partners worldwide. These exchanges raises Basel’s profile, unlock access to relevant networks, and ensure the location’s competitive edge.
The Canton actively establishes and maintains international relations. It highlights the location's strengths, facilitates collaboration for local stakeholders, and brings knowledge, contacts, and fresh ideas to Basel.
The Canton's international relations strategy focuses on three primary goals:
Elevating global profile
Basel is positioning itself in selected target markets as an excellent, innovative and research-intensive hub for business and science, offering a rich cultural life, a high quality of life, and a strong commitment to sustainability and climate protection.
Creating opportunities for local stakeholders
Basel-based stakeholders have improved access to private and public institutions and organisations, as well as to political, economic, scientific, and cultural decision-makers at an international level.
Driving internationalisation
The Canton of Basel-Stadt promotes dialogue and collaborative work between stakeholders in Basel and international partners. This makes Basel more competitive.
The Canton uses three instruments to achieve this: International platforms, partnerships and collaborations, and international networks.
International platforms
International platforms are a key tool in location marketing. These include appearances at international events, dedicated exchange programmes, and targeted marketing initiatives both at home and abroad. They boost visibility, encourage networking, involve local stakeholders and define Basel's position with clarity and focus. The Canton utilises platforms both within the framework of existing partnerships and collaborations, and independently of geographical considerations. Examples include appearances at Art Basel in Paris, Basel Week in Seoul, and a collaboration with swissnex Boston.
Partnerships and collaborations
Partnerships and collaborations are ways to nurture long-term relationships and exchange ideas with key cities and regions. They facilitate institutional access for stakeholders in Basel and provide a platform for regular political dialogue. The Canton aligns these partnerships with the interests and needs of Basel's key players, as well as the prevailing strategic and political conditions. In addition, it engages in focused, short-term collaborations when they offer strategic value to the Basel region.
International networks
The Canton of Basel-Stadt is linked to various international networks and uses these for exchanges at both a technical and political level. These networks and initiatives help to raise Basel’s profile and strengthen its position in key areas of local development.
The following networks are particularly relevant for external relations and location marketing:
Swimmable Cities Alliance
The Swimmable Cities Alliance is a global network dedicated to promoting swimming in urban areas. Basel is a pioneer in this field and uses the network for location promotion and targeted professional exchange.
Global Cities Hub
The Global Cities Hub Geneva connects cities and local or regional governments with the UN and other multilateral organisations in Geneva to strengthen their involvement in global decision-making processes.
