Welcome to the Division of International Affairs

The International Division has three mandates:

Engage the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C.,
Oversee the Governor’s Subcabinet for International Affairs, and
Manage the Maryland Sister States Program.

Engaging the Diplomatic Community

The Division of International Affairs works with ambassadors, attaches, and staff to organize meetings and make connections for them and their visiting delegations around the state. Meetings and programs range in topics from, but not limited to, economic development, agriculture, education, arts and culture, health care, and the environment.

Governor’s Subcabinet for International Affairs
The Governor's Subcabinet for International Affairs was created by Executive Order in 2001, amended in 2005, and amended most recently in 2024.

The Secretary of State chairs the Governor's Subcabinet for International Affairs, and the membership is composed of the Lieutenant Governor, the Adjutant General of the Maryland Military Department, and the Secretaries Agriculture, Commerce, Environment, Higher Education, and Transportation.

The Subcabinet brings the state’s international engagement under one umbrella to ensure Maryland's effective and cohesive global strategy. It encourages open communication and collaboration among Maryland's state agencies.

To view the Subcabinet for International Affairs' 2023 Annual Report

click here.

Maryland Sister States Program: Strengthening Global Connections through Citizen Diplomacy

The Maryland Sister States Program fosters international cooperation and cross-cultural understanding through a dynamic program bridging intergovernmental and people-to-people diplomacy. By engaging citizen diplomats— community leaders, business leaders, students, artists, and educators — the Maryland Sister States Program builds meaningful partnerships that advance Maryland’s economic, educational, cultural, and social initiatives worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1980, the Maryland Sister States Program has grown to include 20 partnerships across 17 countries, reflecting Maryland’s commitment to global engagement and its leadership in subnational engagement. These relationships provide a platform for collaborative exchanges, empowering communities across Maryland to develop international networks, share best practices, and address global challenges together.

The Maryland Sister States Program mobilizes an extensive volunteer-driven network to sustain and expand these partnerships. These grassroots efforts create bridges between Maryland and its sister regions, facilitating opportunities in trade, innovation, education, environmental sustainability, healthcare, arts, and more.

By fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, the Sister States Program enhances Maryland’s international presence, strengthens subnational diplomacy, and contributes to the global exchange of ideas, talent, and resources to the benefit of Marylanders and our partners abroad.

For more information or to get involved, contact:

Mary E. Nitsch

Director of the Division of International Affairs

mary.nitsch@maryland.gov

Maryland International Agreements

The Maryland Sister States Program has cultivated partnerships with 20 regions across 17 countries, fostering international collaboration through education, business, cultural exchange, and economic development.