From the beginning of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s first term, the organization convened international summits on topics of critical importance to New York City and its peers, focusing on policy concerns in a post-9/11 era. These meetings brought foreign mayors and other city officials together to discuss common challenges and best practices with their New York counterparts. The success of summits on tourism, safety and security, technology and public art established a new model for municipal exchange.

In May 2007, Mayor Bloomberg appointed Professor Meyer Feldberg as president of a newly expanded Global Partners Board of Directors. Global Partners has continued to convene international summits while expanding the award-winning student internet exchange, Global Partners Junior, and launching the Innovation Exchange website, an online library of global cities’ best practices. Each of these innovative programs plays a vital role in helping internationally connected cities find solutions to 21st century challenges.

Global Partners evolved from the Sister City Program of the City of New York, Inc. The Sister City Program was restructured and renamed New York City Global Partners in 2006 with the aim of expanding the City’s interaction with world cities while maintaining its historic ten sister city relationships. The organization continues its membership in Sister Cities International, founded on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s people-to-people principles which promote citizen exchange between U.S. and foreign cities.

Located in the office of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol, Global Partners is overseen by Commissioner Marjorie B. Tiven who serves as treasurer. New York City Global Partners, Inc. is an apolitical, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.