Berlin and Mexico City have been partner cities since 1 September 1993.
Priorities of our cooperation include culture, urban development, environmental protection, transportation, water supply, waste disposal, and recycling. The two cities share knowledge and experience in reciprocal visits, participation in bilateral and international specialist conferences, and the exchange of “best practices.”
The cultural sectors of our two cities host very diverse activities. Countless musical, theatrical, film, and dance events, exhibitions, and workshops bring culture and the arts from the other city to life and inspire creative professionals on many levels across the genre spectrum. Berlin took an active part in the first techno parade held in Mexico City, contemporary Mexican music is showcased in Berlin, and Berlin orchestras present classical music – also in “teaching concerts” – in Mexico City, to name just a few of the musical projects carried out together by the two cities.
There is growing recognition in our partner city cooperation that Mexico is also a market for renewable energy and energy efficiency. A key partner for dialogue on climate issues is the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The partner cities marked their 20th anniversary in 2013 by stepping up cooperation in the areas of public transportation, mobility, security, and business. Tourism is a vital economic factor for both cities.
2018 was the 25th anniversary of the partnership. At the same time, it was an important election year in Mexico, and elections were also held on the municipal level. CDMX, as the city now refers to itself, elected Claudia Sheinbaum its head of government on 1 July 2018. She assumed office on 1 December 2018. In connection with the Berlin-CDMX anniversary, Berlin funded several smaller cultural projects with the aim of promoting exchange on the level of civil society.
Digital formats were used for exchange from 2020 to 2022. Representatives from Berlin and Mexico City discussed urban issues like sustainable mobility, data management, and green infrastructure in a number of bilateral and multilateral videoconferences.
In 2023, we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Berlin-Mexico City city partnership. In particular, exchange on anti-discrimination, LGBTI, participation of disadvantaged population groups, equality for women, renewable energy, and sustainable mobility is to be stepped up.
