At the April 2024 meeting, Council endorsed the City of Greater Geelong’s International Engagement Strategy, aimed at fostering global partnerships and positioning Greater Geelong on the world stage.
The International Engagement Strategy, which has been developed in alignment with our community’s 30-year Clever and Creative Future vision, outlines the objectives and guiding principles for the City's international relationships and activities, with a focus on sustainable growth through international engagement.
The strategy was endorsed to ensure that the City of Greater Geelong’s engagement is purposeful and contributes to major initiatives in the Council Plan, supported by the delivery of actions in the Economic Development Strategy.
The strategy builds on previous connections, and as Australia’s only City of Design, Geelong continues to work with, and be inspired by, like-minded cities across the UNESCO network.
Greater Geelong also has Friendship City relationships with Izumiotsu City in Japan, Lianyungang City in China and Viqueque in Timor-Leste, and a Memorandum of Understanding with Changwon City in South Korea.
Since the strategy's development, Geelong has hosted delegations and consulate representatives from around the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The City is also proactively strengthening the region's relationship with priority market India, having hosted a Roundtable to explore new business and industry opportunities and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australia India Business Council. A three-day Geelong India Collaborative Futures Forum in March 2026 will propel the India engagement further, connect entrepreneurs and identify key sectors for bi-lateral growth.
Geelong and New Orleans have supported the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong and New Orleans World Trade Centre with a Memorandum of Understanding, and work is underway to establish a Global Hub, providing a base for international connections in Geelong.
Councillor Trent Sullivan
Our International Engagement Strategy will help us connect with partners across the globe, and realise positive cultural, social, and economic opportunities.