About

International relations

The City of Namur is developing various types of partnerships as part of its international activities. These are categorised as follows: intermunicipal agreements, networks, specific relations, municipal international cooperation and friendly entities.

Exchanges between the various poles lead to the implementation of policies aimed at achieving the objectives of the Walloon Capital city project.

The City of Namur’s International Relations Office implements the agreements and projects, in collaboration with the Communication Department, which handles reception and protocol at the City Hall.

The City of Namur and its International Relations Strategy

Aware of the significance of its status as the Capital of Wallonia, the City of Namur is firmly committed to a dynamic approach to city diplomacy, now recognised as a key driver of territorial development and international cooperation.

The categorisation of its partnerships helps to clarify and enhance the work of the International Relations Office by classifying relations according to their nature and specific objectives. Each category serves a distinct purpose:

Intermunicipal agreements

Concluded bilaterally and for a set duration, these aim to strengthen sustainable partnerships around shared themes and encourage the exchange of best practices between local administrations.

Networks

These genuine platforms for dialogue and cooperation allow the City to engage in cross-cutting initiatives, benefit from diverse perspectives, and tap into innovative experiences. Namur plays an active role within these networks and is recognised as a committed and credible partner.

Specific relations

Built around targeted themes, these relationships often stem from historical or cultural opportunities, thereby reinforcing ties with certain territories or institutions.

Municipal international cooperation

Carried out in collaboration with institutional partners such as the Federal Development Cooperation (DGD), Wallonia-Brussels International, or the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia, this cooperation mainly focuses on key sectors such as civil status, population and health (in support of projects led by partner NGOs)..

Friendly entities

Some links are rooted in powerful human stories: Namur residents who emigrated and maintained, sometimes from thousands of kilometres away, their attachment to their city of origin. The City pays special attention to these territories, which still claim their Namur identity today.

Reception and protocol

The growing regional role of Namur, combined with the urban transformation launched over fifteen years ago, has enhanced its attractiveness at both national and international levels. The International Relations Office therefore organises the reception of numerous official delegations wishing to discover the many aspects of this evolution.