International bi-lateral agreements signed by Welsh Government and countries and regions across the world.
A bi-lateral agreement records an understanding between 2 or more parties which is not intended to be binding in law. They can be in the form of a single document and can have a variety of names.
Since devolution, Welsh Ministers have signed a number of bi-lateral agreements with other countries and regions in order to build a mutually beneficial relationship and to further cooperation across a number of policy areas.
Given their non-binding nature, some agreements are not renewed while others lapse and become dormant over time. This can be down to a shift in policy focus, a lack of political will, or simply the agreed cooperation has been achieved or has reached a natural conclusion. The following lists our active bi-lateral agreements at country or regional level:
Quebec: Declaration of Intent
Signed 2020
Areas of co-operation:
- Economy
- Innovation
- Culture
- Language policy
- Education
Basque Country: Memorandum of Understanding
Re-signed 2021
Areas of co-operation:
- Mobility and transport
- Environment and climate change
- Technology, innovation and competitiveness
- Marine energy
- Agri-food
- Education and training
- Fiscal strategy and policy
- Health and social care
- Business
Ireland: Joint Statement
Signed 2021
Areas of co-operation:
- Political and official engagement
- Climate and sustainability
- Trade and tourism
- Education and research
- Culture, language and heritage
- Communities, diaspora and sport
Oita Prefecture: Memorandum of Understanding
Signed 2022
Areas of co-operation:
- Arts and culture
- Sport
- Academia
- Tourism
- Food and drink
Flanders: Memorandum of Understanding
Signed 2023
Areas of co-operation:
- Digitisation
- Education
- Research
- Sustainable Futures
- Language Policy
- Care
- Culture
Brittany: Memorandum of Understanding
Re-signed 2023
Areas of co-operation:
- Culture
- Language policy
- Tourism
- Natural and cultural heritage
- Sustainable development
- Teaching and research
- Youth, sport and European citizenship
- Agriculture, agrifood and rural development
- Economy and innovation
- Cyber security
- Health, social policy and equality
Baden-Württemberg: Shared Statement of Cooperation
Signed 2023
Areas of co-operation:
- Trade and Entrepreneurship
- Science and Research
- Education and Youth
- Culture and Communities
- Environment and Climate Protection
Silesia: Memorandum of Understanding
Signed 2024
Areas of co-operation:
- Life Sciences
- Cyber Security
- Green transformation of post-industrial landscapes
- Science and innovation
- Education
- Tourism