Diplomatic Gifts | Isfahan International Portal

Today, along with conventional diplomatic relations among countries, a new form of diplomacy is growing among them: urban diplomacy. Metropolises and cities have, in this way, gained the ability to participate in international diplomacy. With their economic, commercial, cultural, and scientific collaborations, they can contribute to addressing various global disasters, such as environmental problems, air pollution, migration, and financial crises.

Isfahan, with its significant cultural position in the Islamic world, and as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Asia and the whole world, has made a concerted effort to play a prominent role in international affairs and to revive its ancient title of "World City" or "Jahan Shahr." Isfahan has sister-city relationships with sixteen cities in different countries. It has also become a member of fifteen international organizations to support its role in global affairs.

Sister cities or twin towns are terms used to describe the bond established between a city in one country and its counterpart in another country. This is to promote friendship and peace worldwide and to cooperate in various urban management fields to achieve sustainable development. Currently, Isfahan has sixteen sister cities, including Xi'an, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Florence, Italy; Iasi, Romania; Barcelona, Spain; Yerevan, Armenia; Freiburg, Germany; Havana, Cuba; Lahore, Pakistan; St. Petersburg, Russia; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Dakar, Senegal; Baalbek, Lebanon; Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Porto, Portugal; and Kazan, Russia.

Isfahan is a member of several international organizations: Metropolis, League of Historical Cities, City Net, Mayors for Peace International Organization, Asian Mayors Forum, International Urban Development Association, Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network, UNESCO Creative Cities Network, World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization, Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities, UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities, the Belt and Road Initiative, and BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities.

What follows is a list of diplomatic gifts presented to the Municipality of Isfahan by foreign delegations from Isfahan's sister and friendship cities.