Diplomacy Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — November 11, 2025 — At the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) announced that former U.S. Ambassador Nina Hachigian, the first U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy and former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, will serve as a Senior Advisor to the ICLEI USA Board. Hachigian, who recently founded the nonpartisan nonprofit Alliance for Local Leaders International (ALLIES)—which empowers local and state leaders to collaborate across borders, share practical solutions, and strengthen ties with U.S. and international counterparts—will help guide ICLEI USA’s Local Diplomacy Unit.
As climate, economic, and geopolitical challenges intersect across borders, cities and regions are increasingly shaping the global agenda. ICLEI USA’s Local Diplomacy Unit supports elected officials who engage directly in global forums, connect with international counterparts, and ensure that local climate priorities inform national and international policy.
“Through initiatives like Cities Forward and ICLEI’s official role in international climate, biodiversity, and pollution negotiations, ICLEI USA’s Local Diplomacy Unit helps them build connections, share what works, and bring their community-driven solutions into global conversations,” said Ambassador Hachigian.
For over three decades, ICLEI USA has partnered with cities, towns, counties, regions, and Tribal nations to move sustainability from planning to action. Whether helping communities design bold climate plans or share their leadership on the global stage, ICLEI USA connects local efforts to international impact.
Through this collaboration, ICLEI USA and Ambassador Hachigian will strengthen connections between U.S. local governments and their international peers, creating more opportunities for shared learning and joint action on climate and sustainability.
“The Local Diplomacy Unit gives local leaders a platform to share best practices, inspiring and collaborating with communities across the globe to advance sustainability through their own local solutions,” said Saharnaz Mirzazad, ICLEI USA Executive Director.
For more information about ICLEI USA and the Local Diplomacy Unit, visit www.icleiusa.org, contact us at iclei-usa@iclei.org, or follow us on LinkedIn.