Twinning Relations

A "twinning" is a formal link between Alberta and a region in another country. Alberta has established twinning relationships with 15 foreign provinces and states to promote economic ties, intercultural exchanges, and joint initiatives.

Alberta has "twinning" relationships with 15 foreign sub-national governments. These can be grouped into three categories of twinnings:

Special relationships are full-fledged, multi-sectoral partnerships with a specific province or state. These are sometimes called "sister province" relationships. These relationships enable a wide range of activities and cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, business, sports, culture, science and education. This helps to promote economic activity and cross-cultural awareness.

Transboundary partnerships with American states are policy-oriented arrangements that are critical to Alberta in the management of intergovernmental and trade relations with its American neighbours. Transboundary partnerships with Alberta's largest trading partner, the United States, are important because they help the Province:

• Forge close working relationships with key U.S. decision makers,
• Manage cross-border matters such as agriculture, water management, environmental protection, and tourism,
• Establish mechanisms for informal settlement and avoidance of disputes
• Ensure access to trade routes in the western U.S. states, including north-south to California, Texas and Mexico, westwards to Pacific ports and northwards to Alaska, and
• Build alliances on important Canada/U.S. issues [including borders].

Governance-Focused Twinnings are twinnings undertaken to assist other states or provinces to improve their mechanisms of governance.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Gangwon, South Korea [1974]
  The Gangwon relationship was the first sister-province relationship to be established. Most activities have involved education, culture, and sports exchanges. However, the focus is now turning toward governance advice.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)

• Hokkaido, Japan [1980]
  A number of initiatives resulting from this relationship have occurred in areas such as agriculture, education, culture, sports, construction, housing, and manufacturing.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Heilongjiang, China [1981]
  This agreement focuses on mutual areas of interest including agriculture, energy, forestry, science and technology, medicine, education, sports, and environmental protection.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Tyumen Oblast, Russia [1992]
  This twinning relationship has focused on nurse training programs, and cooperation in forestry, agriculture, environmental services, and telecommunications. Alberta had a trade office in Tyumen from 1994-96.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Khanty-Mansii, Russia [1995]
  Since signing the agreement, Alberta and Khanty-Mansii have cooperated in areas relating to natural resource management, public expenditure management, health care and secondary education administration. Khanty is the world's second largest producer of oil.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Neuquén, Argentina [1994]
  There are many similarities between Alberta and Neuquen. They have similar geographies and energy industries, are large agricultural producers, and have some of the richest dinosaur fossil deposits in the world.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Yamal-Nenets, Russia [1997]
  Alberta has a long-standing commercial relationship with Yamal-Nenets, focused on the gas industry, and construction projects. Yamal is the world's largest producer of natural gas. Bilateral relations have also been strengthened through a number of training programs and educational exchanges.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  
  
  

• Jalisco, Mexico [1998]
  This agreement covers areas including agriculture, economic development, tourism, and education. Culture, health, environment, and technology are identified as areas for further cooperation.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  
  
  

• Saxony, Germany [2002]
  Signed in 2002, this agreement has sparked cooperation in the areas of economic development, biotechnology, and education.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine [2004]

Alberta has a long history of involvement with Ukraine, and particularly western Ukraine.  A cooperation agreement was signed in 2004 to foster cooperation in a variety of areas including education, agriculture, and museological cooperation.

More  (PDF, new browser window)

 

• Lviv, Ukraine [2005]

Alberta has strong historic and cultural ties with this region of western Ukraine.  To be signed in 2005, the cooperation agreement will strengthen existing linkages in education, agriculture, and culture.
More  (PDF, new browser window)

TRANSBOUNDARY PARTNERSHIPS

• Montana [1985]
  This agreement has paved the way for cooperation on issues in agriculture, transportation, border issues, energy, tourism, and other areas.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

• Idaho [2000]
  The Alberta-Idaho partnership focuses on economic cooperation and agriculture.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  
  
  
• Alaska [2002]
  Alberta and Alaska have agreed to work together in areas including energy, pipelines, transportation, and Aboriginal issues.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)
  

GOVERNANCE FOCUSED TWINNINGS

• Mpumalanga, South Africa [1996]
  The purpose of this twinning is to assist the newly created post-apartheid province of Mpumalanga government in areas of intergovernmental relations, legislative support, economic cooperation, two-way tourism promotion, and education.
  More  (PDF, new browser window)