International relations

We are working with countries and institutions across the world to strengthen our international relationships, increase our trade and investment, and ultimately achieve our overarching objective of sustainable economic growth in Scotland.

Actions

We are:

• setting out the direction of our international activity in Scotland's International Framework

• building greater connections with other countries through the following engagement strategies:

  • US engagement strategy
  • China engagement strategy
  • Canada engagement strategy
  • India engagement strategy
  • Pakistan engagement strategy
• attending ministerial visits and events within Europe to promote Scotland and our international activities
• carrying out a strategic review of Irish-Scottish relations
• promoting Scottish-Arctic cooperation as set out in our Arctic Connections policy framework

We also have a network of eight offices worldwide who work to promote Scottish interests overseas and strenthen our relationships with countries and continents. These offices are located in: 

• Beijing
• Berlin
• Brussels
• Dublin
• London
• Ottawa
• Paris
• Washington DC

Background

Scotland’s Economic Strategy identifies Internationalisation as one of four priority areas for building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Scotland.

The strategy sets out our ambition to promote Scotland internationally, with the aim of growing our trade, investment, influence and networks.

International offices

We have a network of offices in priority locations around the world. These offices work to promote Scottish interests overseas and strengthen our relationships with countries and continents.

The work of our offices includes:

• improving Scotland’s international profile
• attracting investment
• helping businesses to trade internationally
• promoting and securing research and innovation capability, partnerships and funding
• facilitating cultural exchanges and events
• protecting and enhancing Scotland’s interests in the EU and beyond

We have published a guide to our strategic priorities for our international offices for 2019 to 2020. 

We use the network to support collaboration which provides economic benefits in line with our International Framework.

Ambassadorial and diplomatic services for UK citizens are reserved functions and are provided by the UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

United Nations

We are proud to support and co-operate with the United Nations (UN) on a broad range of issues to achieve our shared goals and principles – peace, development and human rights - which will benefit people in Scotland and worldwide. Co-operation with the UN and its partners is at the centre of our International Framework’s strategic objectives on global partnerships and international development.

In July 2015 the First Minister announced Scotland's intention to sign up for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are the globally agreed priorities for tackling poverty and inequality in UN member states up until 2030. Our international development policy details what we are doing to achieve the SDGs.

Contact

Email: Central Enquiries Unit ceu@gov.scot

Telephone: 0300 244 4000

Post:
International Division
Scottish Government
2G North
Victoria Quay
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ