Bethlehem and Italian City of Pavia Celebrate 20 Years of Twinning and Strengthen Future Cooperation

Marking an important milestone in two decades of cooperation and friendship, a delegation from Bethlehem Municipality, headed by Mayor Mr. Hanna Hanania and comprising Municipal Council Member Ms. Lorette Abu Jaber and Director of the Planning and Projects Department Eng. Ziad Al-Sayeh, participated in a series of official events and meetings hosted by the Italian city of Pavia.

The visit commemorated the 20th anniversary of the twinning agreement between the two cities and coincided with the opening of the annual Autunno Pavese Exhibition.

The delegation attended the exhibition's opening ceremony. As one of Pavia's leading economic, food, and cultural events, the exhibition provided an opportunity to promote Bethlehem, showcase its local products, and introduce its culinary heritage through the “Akli Baladi” project. This initiative represents a model of international cooperation aimed at supporting local economic development and strengthening Palestine's food production sector.

In a celebratory atmosphere reflecting the deep friendship and solidarity between the two cities, an official ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the twinning agreement was held at Pavia City Hall. The event was attended by Pavia Mayor Mr. Michele Lissia, representatives of Pavia Municipality, a delegation from the French city of Besançon, and representatives of local institutions and residents.

The occasion highlighted the importance of international municipal relations in building bridges of communication and cooperation between communities.

During the ceremony, Bethlehem Mayor Mr. Hanna Hanania expressed his pride and appreciation for this milestone, emphasizing that the relationship between Bethlehem and Pavia has evolved beyond formal agreements over the past two decades into a genuine partnership built on friendship, mutual trust, and joint action.

He noted that this partnership has contributed to the implementation of significant projects that have positively impacted municipal development and strengthened Bethlehem's institutional capacities.

Mayor Hanania extended his gratitude to Pavia Municipality and everyone who has contributed to the success of this partnership over the years. He highlighted several important projects implemented through cooperation between the two cities, including the “Bethlehem Smart City” project, the “Bethlehem 3D” project, and the rehabilitation and development of Bethlehem Municipality's Central Archives.

These initiatives, along with other joint projects, have contributed to improving municipal services, advancing digital transformation, and preserving the city's institutional and historical heritage.

Mayor Hanania emphasized that celebrating 20 years of twinning is not merely an opportunity to reflect on past achievements but also marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation.

He stated:

“The past twenty years have been filled with friendship, cooperation, and joint projects. We look forward to the next twenty years bringing even greater achievements and contributions, as we build together on our successes through new projects that respond to our city's needs and the aspirations of its residents.”

On the sidelines of the visit, the two delegations held working meetings to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and developing plans for future projects, particularly in the areas of municipal service development, digital transformation, local economic development, institutional knowledge exchange, and scholarship opportunities.

These discussions aimed to ensure the sustainability of the partnership and translate shared objectives into practical programs with tangible benefits.

The meetings concluded with an agreement to formally renew the twinning agreement between Bethlehem and Pavia during the anticipated visit of a delegation from Pavia Municipality to Bethlehem for the Christmas celebrations. This step reflects both cities' commitment to continuing and strengthening their longstanding partnership in the years ahead.

At the conclusion of the visit, Mayor Hanania renewed his appreciation to the city of Pavia, its municipal leadership, and its residents for their warm hospitality and the deep friendship connecting the two cities.

He emphasized that relationships between cities should not be measured solely by the number of years since their agreements were signed, but by the achievements they produce, the positive impact they have on citizens' lives, and the lasting bridges of solidarity and human cooperation they establish.

Twenty years of friendship and achievement — a renewed partnership toward a shared future for Bethlehem and Pavia.