International partnerships

Alberta maintains formal partnerships with regions around the world to promote economic development and cross-cultural collaboration.

Overview

Alberta participates in several strategic relationships with regions in other countries, including states, provinces, oblasts and prefectures.

Sister province relationships

Sister province relationships help promote economic development-related activities and cross-cultural awareness and cooperation in:

  • culture
  • education
  • energy
  • sports
  • agriculture
  • technology
  • governance
  • tourism

Table 1. Active sister province relationships

RegionFirst signedRenewedKey areas of focus
Gangwon, South KoreaFirst signed in 1974In perpetuity
  • education, agriculture, sports, biomedical and petrochemicals
Hokkaido, JapanFirst signed in 1980In perpetuity
  • education, sport, agriculture, food, culture and municipal twinning relationships
Heilongjiang, ChinaFirst signed in 1981In perpetuity
  • trade, agriculture, environmental protection, education and culture
Jalisco, MexicoFirst signed in 1999Renewed 2022
  • commercial and economic development in key sectors, including agriculture, forestry, energy, advanced industry research and development, education and tourism
  • enhance trade and investment and undertake collaborative activities in the areas of technology research and development
  • share best practices for public sector management related to economic development and diversification
Guangdong, ChinaFirst signed in 2017Legally expired
  • business and trade, energy, environment, infrastructure, transportation, education, health, culture, tourism and sports
Ivano-Frankivsk, UkraineFirst signed in 2004Renewed 2022
  • agriculture, history, arts, economic cooperation, education, health, energy cooperation, humanitarian assistance, legal, science and technology, tourism, environment and security
Lviv, UkraineFirst signed in 2005In process of being renewed
  • agriculture, history, arts and culture, economy, education, energy, governance, health, humanitarian assistance, judicial and legal matters, and science and technology

Other partnerships

These partnerships are policy-oriented arrangements, which promote collaboration on issues of common interest.

Table 2. Active partnerships

RegionFirst signedRenewedKey areas of focus
AlaskaFirst signed in 2002Reaffirmed in 2022
  • reaffirm the establishment of the Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council
  • deepen cooperation regarding transportation, market access, energy and environmental issues

Contact

For more information on Alberta’s international partnerships, contact:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Intergovernmental Relations, Executive Council
International Relations Branch

Chris Ryan, Executive Director
Phone: 780-427-6060
Email: [email protected]

State and Transboundary Relations Unit

David Kettles, Director
Phone: 780-422-2295
Email: [email protected]

Americas and Europe Unit

Tim Olsen, Director
Phone: 780-863-5687
Email: [email protected]

Indo-Pacific, Middle East and Africa Unit

Erin Ho Si, Director
Phone: 780-995-8397
Email: [email protected]

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