Francisco Resnicoff, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Strategies of Governments and Organizations (CIG), recently participated in episode 15 of the series "Conversation: Democracy and its Complexities," hosted by Alejandro Galliano. The discussion, available on YouTube, focused on "The Diplomacy of Local and Regional Governments," a topic of growing relevance in the international political landscape.

The resurgence of subnational protagonism

During the conversation, Resnicoff analyzed how, despite the apparent return of nation-states to the center of international discourse due to interstate conflicts and geopolitical tensions, subnational governments maintain and strengthen their strategic position. "Beneath the surface of advancing states and retreating cities, there is much movement that indicates the opposite," the expert noted.

A paradigmatic example of this dynamic was observed during Trump's first term (2016-2020), when hundreds of US mayors and governors formally organized to maintain the climate agenda after the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, demonstrating the responsiveness of local governments to the rollback of national policies.

Proximity as a strategic advantage

Resnicoff emphasized that subnational governments, especially municipal ones, constitute "the first point of contact for any citizen with their government," which makes them particularly valuable in contexts of a retreating national state. This citizen proximity becomes a competitive advantage when national governments reduce their presence or capabilities.

International networks: opportunities and challenges

The CIG Senior Fellow also addressed the proliferation of international urban networks, mentioning initiatives by the IDB, CAF, and OAS, among others. However, he cautioned against creating a “fiction of participation,” where cities integrate multiple networks without effectively evaluating their real benefits.

"Many cities, especially the larger ones, are evaluating their participation in networks and deciding which ones to focus their efforts on," Resnicoff explained.

Metropolitan challenges and cooperation

The conversation also explored the complex governance challenges in metropolitan areas, where issues such as mobility, health, and public services require political coordination between different levels of government. Resnicoff identified two

Emerging trends: geographical cooperation between municipalities in a given region, and cross-cutting cooperation on specific issues.

Academic institutionalization of the field

Finally, the expert highlighted the growing academic interest in subnational diplomacy, mentioning the strong receptiveness of municipal officials seeking new tools for international engagement. "This is all in full swing," he concluded, referring to the dynamism of the field.

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Watch the full episode: Conversation: Democracy and its Complexities – Episode 15

Francisco Resnicoff is a Senior Fellow at the Center for International Strategies of Governments and Organizations (CIG) and a specialist in subnational diplomacy and international relations of local governments.