IURC Highlights the Role of City-to-City Partnerships in Disaster Recovery

What is the best way for city-to-city partnerships to contribute to humanitarian and recovery efforts after a city experiences a major natural or human-made disaster?

This was the question at the heart of a panel discussion at the Global Cities New Zealand conference, hosted by Christchurch City on 4 September 2026. The date held particular significance, marking the sixteenth anniversary of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck on the outskirts of Christchurch and triggered a sequence of devastating earthquakes over the following months.

The panel brought together international perspectives on disaster response, recovery and the role of cooperation between cities. Her Excellency Isaura Duarte Rodríguez, Ambassador of Colombia, described her country’s response and recovery following a major earthquake in August this year. Olena Grubb, Honorary Consul of Ukraine for the South Island of New Zealand, and His Excellency Patryk Blaszczak, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, spoke about the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine.

The panel also included Dr Paul Dalziel, IURC Country Coordinator for New Zealand, who was recommended to participate by the Delegation of the European Union to New Zealand. The discussion was moderated by Rosemary Banks, who served two terms as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States.

Drawing on his experience with the IURC programme, Dr Dalziel highlighted the power of city-to-city partnerships to foster knowledge exchange, stimulate innovation and help address urgent challenges. “The European Union has an outstanding tradition of supporting city and regional leadership,” he said. “The IURC programme is extending that practice across the globe.”

Christchurch itself is an enthusiastic partner in the IURC programme and brings valuable experience to international exchanges through the lessons learned from its recovery following the major earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

The panel discussion at Global Cities New Zealand highlighted how city-to-city partnerships can play an important role in humanitarian response and recovery. By connecting cities across borders and enabling them to share knowledge, experience and practical solutions, such partnerships can help communities respond to crises, rebuild and strengthen their resilience for the future.