Given the growing impact of
international relations on areas
under the jurisdiction of federated
states, a number of these states are
working to build networks that allow
them to join forces with partner
governments to come up with tangible
solutions. Québec intends to promote
the growth of these networks.
Partner Regions
 Certain
groups of federated states and
regions are based on shared
interests rather than strictly
geographical criteria. Along with
Bavaria, Québec is a co-founder of
the
Partner Regions group, which
also includes
Upper Austria,
Shandong,
Western Cape,
São Paulo and, as of 2008,
Georgia. Québec
plans to continue to participate in
international forums that allow it
to develop its relations with other
regional governments.
Europe
In Europe, efforts by federated states and regions are driven by regional political forums such as the
Conference of European Regions with
Legislative Powers and the
Assembly of European Regions,
where Québec has the status of
partner. The membership of the
latter organization includes Québec
partners like Wallonia, Flanders,
Bavaria and Catalonia, which
facilitates Québec’s access to
European institutions and markets.
North
America
Northeastern North America is no stranger to the trend toward regional networks. Québec participates in Hemispheria summits along with U.S. and Mexican states and other Canadian provinces. At a time when air quality, energy market structures and supply chain security require collaboration between American states and Canadian provinces, the
Conference of New England Governors
and Eastern Canadian Premiers,
of which Québec is a member, is a
tool for developing consensus and
shaping the regional sphere.
As an associate member of the
Council of Great Lakes Governors,
like Ontario, Québec enjoys direct
relations with some of the most
populous and industrialized U.S.
states. CGLG members are united by a
variety of shared interests,
starting with management of the
Great Lakes/St. Lawrence watershed
system.
International agreements signed by
federated states
Signed in 2005 by Québec, Ontario
and eight American states, the
Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin
Sustainable Water Resources
Agreement is the first-ever
international instrument signed by
federated states in two different
countries. It is aimed at protecting
the world’s largest freshwater
basin.
At the initiative of Québec and
Bavaria, the members of the Partner
Regions group have agreed
unanimously to step up their efforts
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
At a summit held in July 2006 in
Linz, Austria, the heads of
government of Upper Austria, São
Paulo, Western Cape and Shandong
added their signatures to a
declaration of intent on biofuel
already signed by Québec and Bavaria
during the Climate Leaders Summit
held in Montréal in December 2005.
By virtue of this declaration, the
signatories have agreed to boost
their efforts to encourage the use
of biofuel in the transportation
sector and promote research aimed at
developing new sources of biomass
energy.
More
information:
Comparative study on Québec
international relations and that of
several federated states (PDF 378,54
K), issued by the Observatoire de
l'administration publique -
École
nationale d'administration publique
(ENAP) in fall 2006:
L'État québécois en perspective -
Politiques publiques - Les relations
internationales du Québec comparées
(in French only).
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