The Maryland Sister States Program was established in 1980 to provide a forum for the promotion of international cooperation and understanding. Through broad-based citizen participation in a wide variety of exchanges in areas of mutual interest, the Sister States Program offers opportunities to develop partnership around the world in art, culture, transportation, film, women's issues, business, education, health care, professional development, sports, law, and more.
In 2004, the program was transferred to the Office of Secretary of State of Maryland.
Active Sister State relationships The Maryland Sister States Program currently includes currently includes 20 relationships in 17 countries.
1980 Anhui Province, China 1981 Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan 1981 Nord-Pas de Calais, France 1981 Walloon Region, Belgium 1991 Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea 1993 Leningrad Oblast/City of St. Petersburg, Russia 1993 State of Jalisco, Mexico 1993 Łódź Region, Poland 1999 State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2007 Bong & Maryland Counties, Liberia 2009 Harju County, Estonia 2011 Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam 2012 Kocaeli Municipality, Turkey 2013 County Cork, Ireland 2013 Ondo and Cross River States, Nigeria 2015 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2016 Negev Administrative District, Israel 2017 Jeollanam-Do, Korea
Sister Cities International membership Through partnership between U.S. and international communities, Sister Cities International and its members act as citizen diplomats building global cooperation at the municipal level, promoting cultural understanding and stimulating economic development.
References
External links Maryland Secretary of State homepage