London, 22 June 2026 – The Embassy of Italy in London hosted “Milan, Global City: Reflections from
a Decade of International Engagement”, an event exploring Milan’s transformation into one of the
leading urban actors on the international stage and the growing role of cities in addressing global
challenges.
The evening featured Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, in a conversation moderated by Marta Foresti,
CEO and Founder of LAGO Collective, followed by concluding reflections from Lord Marvin Rees of
Easton, former Mayor of Bristol.
Drawing on Milan’s journey over the past decade – from Expo 2015 to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter
Olympic and Paralympic Games – the discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on the
contribution of cities to their countries’ international standing and on the increasingly important role
of so-called city diplomacy.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom, Fabio Cassese, noted: “Over
the past ten years, Milan has become one of the most visible and effective ambassadors of our country
around the world. Through its ability to attract talent, host global events and engage in leading
international networks, the city has helped project an image of Italy that is modern, innovative and
open to the future.”
The discussion also highlighted the growing role of cities and local administrations in addressing issues
that transcend national borders – from climate change to migration, and from economic
competitiveness to social cohesion – and how they can play an increasingly active part in developing
shared solutions to global challenges by promoting innovation, sustainability, and international
cooperation.
Mayor Sala’s visit to London took place in the context of London Climate Action Week and as part of
the activities of the C40 Cities network, one of the world’s leading platforms for cooperation among
cities committed to tackling climate change, for which Mayor Sala serves as Vice Chair for Europe.
