Since the international recognition and image of Ljubljana and its management have been on the rise, representatives of COL have been receiving an increasingnumber of invitations to bilateral meetings in European and global cities as well as numerous multilateral events – professional conferences, congresses, and international political meetings. Representatives of the City of Ljubljana are welcome and desired participants in numerous discussions about the challenges that cities face as well as about the opportunities for further urban development. 

Due to our close cooperation with Vienna, we have been recording more meetings with its mayor Dr. Michael Häupl and his colleagues. At several occasions, we have also been received by the Mayor of Istanbul Dr. Kadir Topbaş. We also actively cooperate with nearby cities of Zagreb (Mayor Milan Bandić) and Trieste (Mayors Roberto Dipiazza and Roberto Cosolini) as well as other cities in neighbouring countries.

Led by Mayor Zoran Janković, we have also among others been hosted in:

• Moscow by Mayor Yury Luzhkov (2008) and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (2015)
• Beijing by Mayor Guo Jinlong and Chengdu by former mayor and party secretary Li Chuncheng (2011). Mayor Zoran Janković was appointed a honorary citizen of Chengdu during the festivities at the 30th anniversary of the cooperation between the cities.
• London by Mayor Boris Johnson (2013)
• Rome by Mayor Gianni Alemanno (2011) and Mayor Ignazio Marino (2014)
• Madrid by Mayor Ana Botella (2015) during the event organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), where we received an award for the most sustainable global destination – Tourism for Tomorrow
• Berlin by the Governing Mayor Michael Müller (2015)
• Ankara by Mayor Melih Gökçek (2015)
• Paris by Mayor Anne Hidalgo (2016) 

as well as in many cities in Europe and worldwide.

Green Capital strengthening our international reputation

The European Green Capital 2016 title guaranteed Ljubljana a special place on the map of cities where sustainable development is crucial. Abroad, we have given more than 50 presentations of the Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016 project. We have also recorded an increased participation at international conferences focusing on the measures aimed at increasing the quality of living of citizens. 

Paris (2016) - Mayor Zoran Janković presented examples of best practice in Ljubljana at the Cities and Metropolises International Conference Cities for Air, accompanied by Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo. Photo archive City of Ljubljana

Meeting and cooperating with the ambassadors of other countries in Ljubljana

Mayor Zoran Janković meets ambassadors appointed to serve in the Republic of Slovenia at various occasions and traditionally at the beginning and end of their term, since the City of Ljubljana maintains friendly ties and an extremely good cooperation with all embassies.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Her Excellency Anunciada Fernández de Córdova, at a reception in the City Hall (2015). Photo: Nik Rovan

Ljubljana days abroad

In order to promote the city, culture, and various forms of cooperation, the City of Ljubljana introduces itself abroad. The events are usually also attended by political representatives of the cities since a top-level bilateral meeting is organised within each such event. We maintain an extremely close cooperation also with Slovenian embassies abroad.

Ljubljana Days have been organised in Warsaw (2009), Budapest (2011), Rome (2015), Milan at EXPO (2015), as well as Sofia (2017) and Prague (2017).

Sister cities days in Ljubljana

Also in Ljubljana, we always happily host our sister cities so they can introduce themselves to our citizens: Prague Days in Ljubljana (2014), Sofia Days in Ljubljana (2015), Moscow Days in Ljubljana (2016), Vienna Days in Ljubljana (2016), Budapest Days in Ljubljana (2017).

Renate Brauner, MA, the Executive City Councillor of Finance, Economic and International Affairs of Vienna, and Mayor Zoran Janković at the Vienna Days in Ljubljana (2016). Photo: Anže Petkovšek