GLASGOW FORMS OFFICIAL LINK-UP WITH PITTSBURGH
GLASGOW has formed its first official partnership with the American city of Pittsburgh in a bid to tackle climate change, racial injustice and social inequality.
A virtual signing ceremony was held yesterday formalising the long-valued relationship between the two cities while taking the next step in creating a strong connection.
Pittsburgh and Glasgow, which are both situated on rivers, were forged in an industrial past and are poised to lead the way on their shared goals.
Leader of the council, councillor Susan Aitken said: “It was the depute leader of the council David McDonald’s idea to focus on partnerships with different cities in the world where we have something that we really want to learn from them. Pittsburgh was an obvious choice for us.
“We have so much in common with them as a city. These are cities driven by knowledge, academic richness and innovation which draws on that industrial past. Pittsburgh was a steel city, Glasgow the ship building city.
“There’s a spirit of industry and creation. It’s incredible how much our cities have in common.”
Depute Leader of the council councillor David McDonald added: “This is our first formal agreement which was evidence based to identify comparator cities which we can monitor ourselves against.
“Pittsburgh was the leading US city. We know there are loads of thematic tie ins including climate change which is key.
“I am really pleased at what we have achieved today, and we can now focus on the three Ps – policies, programmes and small projects which we will be able to develop through our city partnerships.”
The date of the historic ceremony was significant with just one year to go until Cop26 which is due to be held on from November 1-12, 2021.
Duncan Booker, Cop26 stakeholder manager, said: “When you fly over Pittsburgh you see the presence of ghosts in lines of the soil where once mighty steel works sat.
“This would have been the same for Glasgow. Now these ghosts are being laid to rest as we move from that landscape to build a more sustainable environment. There is so much we can learn from each other.”
The two cities will begin working immediately on their goals and objectives with representatives looking forward to meeting in person next year at the main event.
Ms Aitken added: “With a year to go until Cop26 it’s all about sustainability and decarbonisation and creating green infrastructure and economy. We are truly a global city. The more the world is talking about Glasgow the more we will benefit. Glasgow having a good reputation in the world is crucial.
“It is more important than ever that we collaborate which will help us out of the crisis. Glasgow can’t do this on its own.”