Sister Cities
The City of Tacoma has 14 Sister Cities, all of which have aspects similar or complementary to Tacoma’s economic character.
The City of Tacoma has 14 Sister Cities, all of which have aspects similar or complementary to Tacoma’s economic character. Tacoma’s Sister City activities are as diverse as its membership. Some examples of activities include Student Exchanges, Sports Exchanges, Performing Arts Festivals, Arts Exchanges, and the International Film Festival. Formal Sister City relationships must be adopted by the City Council.
The first Sister City Program, Sister Cities International, was created in 1956 at the request of President Eisenhower, giving national focus to affiliations between cities in the United States and in other countries. The goal of the program is to promote deeper cultural understanding, international visitation, and hospitality that leads to long lasting relationships. More recently, Sister City links have become an increasingly important conduit for people to people relationships and international diplomacy.
Each Sister City has a resident-based Sister City Committee. The Sister City Committees are all organized under a 501 c (3) called the Sister City Council of Tacoma which coordinates their efforts. Those interested in joining a Sister City Committee should work with the Tacoma Sister Cities Council to reach out to individual committees.
Those interested in establishing a new Friendship or Sister City should connect with the Tacoma Sister Cities Council to determine the viability of a Friendship City designation and go through the formal process of establishing the relationship. A friendship city designation should be established first before moving to a Sister City designation. Provisional Friendship Cities are cities established by Tacoma Sister Cities Council, or the Mayor’s Office that have not been confirmed by the City Council. The Mayor’s Office is happy to help facilitate communications and give insight into the process for those interested.
Types of International City Partnerships
Sister Cities
Sister Cities are Tacoma’s most formal international partnerships. These official city-to-city relationships are approved and supported by both local governments and are designed to promote long-term cultural, educational, and economic exchange. Tacoma limits Sister City partnerships to one city per country. These partnerships receive the highest level of City support, including consideration for hosting delegations, participating in trade and cultural exchanges, and developing ongoing collaborative programs.
Friendship Cities
Friendship Cities are less formal partnerships that help build relationships between Tacoma and international communities. They often serve as a first step toward a deeper partnership. Friendship City relationships allow residents, community organizations, and City leaders to connect and collaborate, but they typically involve a lower level of formal City support than Sister Cities.
Provisional Friendship Cities
Provisional Friendship Cities are emerging relationships that have not yet been formally approved by the City Council. These partnerships may be initiated by Tacoma Sister Cities members with board support or through a memorandum of understanding signed by the Mayor. Support for these relationships is generally more limited and is often led by community leaders or the Mayor’s Office rather than through full City programs.
Tacoma’s Sister Cities
1959 – Kitakyushu, Japan
1978 – Gunsan, South Korea
1986 – Aalesund, Norway
1992 – Vladivostok, Russia
1994 – Fuzhou, China
1994 – Davao City, Philippines
2000 – Taichung, Taiwan
2000 – Cienfuegos, Cuba
2008 – El Jadida, Morocco
2012 – Biot, France
2016 – Boca Del Rio, Mexico
2017 – Brovary, Ukraine
2025 – Split, Croatia
2025 – Garden Route Municipality, South Africa (Elevated from George, 1997)
Tacoma’s Friendship Cities
2005 – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
2006 – Mianyang, China
2006 – Maseru, Lesotho
2025 – Kochi, India
Provisional Friendship Cities
2016 – Wuhan, China
2024 – Tulua, Columbia
2024 – Ningbo, China
2024 – Putuo District, Shanghai, China
2025 – Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China
2025 – Mannheim, Germany