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Busan–Liverpool “Korea–UK Intercity Innovation Twins Project” Wins Top Prize at Local Diplomacy Best Practice Competition

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it has won the top prize at the “2025 Local Diplomacy Best Practice Competition,” hosted by the Korea Association of Metropolitan City Mayors and Governors.

The city participated in the competition with the case of the “Korea–UK Intercity Innovation Twins Project (Busan Metropolitan City–Liverpool City Region)” (hereinafter referred to as “the project”), which was recognized for presenting an innovative model of local diplomacy and delivering concrete outcomes.
The Liverpool City Region is a federation of six local authorities established in 2014: Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, and Wirral.

The award ceremony took place on December 12 in Seoul during the “Glocal Learning Program for Benchmarking Best Practices in Local Diplomacy.”

Through the project, Busan Metropolitan City was evaluated as having presented a new model of practical international cooperation led by a local government. In particular, the project received favorable evaluations for its concrete achievements and the establishment of a sustainable cooperation framework, and was recognized as an exemplary case that other local governments can benchmark.

The city introduced the project’s achievements across five key areas: smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT); smart ports; clean energy and carbon neutrality; healthcare; and maritime mobility.

Since 2023, Busan Metropolitan City has pursued substantive cooperation with the Liverpool City Region across a wide range of fields through this project. As a result, the city has achieved tangible outcomes, including securing KRW 1.3 billion in national government funding from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (International Cooperative R&D Program for Land and Transport with a Cooperation Hub Model, 2024–2026); signing an MOU on international joint research for a Global Innovation Special Zone for Next-Generation Maritime Mobility with the European Association of Shipbuilding and Marine Experts (July 2024); and concluding an MOU with the UK Department for Business and Trade on fostering advanced industries for a Global Hub City (September 2024).

Going forward, Busan Metropolitan City plans to further strengthen global cooperation networks based on Busan–Liverpool collaboration by expanding areas of cooperation through sustained exchanges and by participating in international joint research and development programs such as Horizon Europe.

Kim Hyeon-jae, Director General of Tourism and MICE Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This award is the result of our city’s continued efforts to pursue local diplomacy focused on tangible outcomes,” adding, “Busan will continue to lead local diplomacy in the Republic of Korea and promote global cooperation that delivers real benefits to our citizens.”