Greater Manchester signs Sister Cities agreement with Austin, Texas

Greater Manchester has signed a formal Sister City Agreement with the US city of Austin, Texas, to support new, closer working between the two cities.

The agreement will foster closer collaboration in innovation, education, tourism, culture and music, and seeks to create trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, was joined by Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, to sign the agreement at a special ceremony in Manchester on Thursday 4 June at the end of a two-day visit by a delegation of Austin-based business, civic and cultural leaders.

The agreement also follows two previous trade missions to the Texan city in 2023 and 2025, while 16 businesses from Greater Manchester’s creative industries have been taken to the US under the GM Business Growth Hub’s Create Growth programme.

Austin is the capital city of the state of Texas and is one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and, like Greater Manchester, has strengths in the digital, life sciences, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, said

“Our Sister City Agreement is the culmination of working with our friends in Austin over many years, but it is also the start of an exciting new chapter. There are real opportunities for us to work more closely together on trade and investment, research and innovation, education, and the culture and music that both our places are known for, all underpinned by the shared values and civic spirit that connect us.

“We thank Mayor Watson and the Austin delegation for joining us in Greater Manchester, and we look forward to turning this agreement into meaningful collaboration and shared success.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said:

“We have a strong and growing partnership with Austin, progressive cities built on our shared values, two of the fastest growing city economies in our respective countries, industrial strengths and vibrant cultural and music scenes. It was a privilege to welcome the delegation from Austin to Greater Manchester and to formalise that relationship by becoming sister cities.

“Greater Manchester cultivates long term partnerships that bring benefits, jobs and opportunities to our residents. This agreement marks an important milestone and reflects the confidence both places have in what we can achieve together. We have already seen the value of closer co-operation with cities and regions all over the world, and by becoming sister cities with Austin, we can take this even further and create new opportunities for our businesses and residents.”

Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, said:

“Today’s signing unlocks opportunities for Austin and Greater Manchester in economic development, innovation, science and technology, education, tourism, arts and music, and urban development.

“Connecting with international partners brings massive wins straight back home to Austinites. The high-wage jobs we’re creating don’t just boost our quality of life – they attract funding for medical breakthroughs and green tech, bring microchip manufacturing back to the US, and pay for the parks, roads, and city services we use every day.

“Plus, this global attention keeps our iconic live music and arts culture thriving. As we mature into our role on the world stage, we’re focused on growing these benefits for our entire community.”