Liverpool is playing host to Europe this week as dozens of EU ambassadors, state consuls-general and other dignitaries arrive in the city for a diplomatic business conference like no other.

Liverpool Welcomes Europe, an invitation-only event created by Liverpool City Council, continues in its mission to strengthen the city’s role as a bridge between the UK and Europe for a second successful year, following an invitation to the EU27 Ambassadors by Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson.

The event got underway last night (17 June) at a civic reception hosted at Liverpool’s Town Hall, where leaders from the UK and Europe joined representatives from the private sector. 

The diplomatic business conference, continuing through Thursday and Friday, will explore culture, innovation, academia and business with a view to strengthening long-term collaboration opportunities.

Liverpool Welcomes Europe promotes Liverpool as a leading Core City and, along with the support of partner hosts from around the city, has created opportunities for attendees to explore topical issues such as devolution and place-based diplomacy. 

As well as this, AI and its impact on the music industry, Liverpool’s global success as a filming location, leveraging technology for good, and real-world opportunities and challenges in the post-Brexit landscape will be discussed.

The conference and events are being attended by a unique mix of EU representatives, leaders, and Mayors from across Europe, as well as key figures from local and international businesses and academia.

International Trade Relations and Post-Brexit Diplomatic Frameworks

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: 

“Liverpool’s links with Europe have helped to shape who we are as a city, and it’s a real honour to welcome so many EU guests to experience the very best of what Liverpool has to offer. 

“We’re in a unique position where we have so many great things happening across so many industries that the Liverpool Welcomes Europe experience is hugely diverse from trade to touring, AI to art, it’s a reflection of the creative thinking so deeply rooted in Liverpool and this event is all about turning those ideas into real-world impact.”

The gathering at the Town Hall serves as an important platform for navigating the practicalities of modern commerce between the UK and EU member states.

By convening regional mayors alongside international trade delegates, local organisers are facilitating direct dialogue on economic resilience and shared urban policy challenges.

These structured discussions help position the city region as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, particularly within the digital and green technology sectors.

Creative Industry Growth and Regional Technology Collaboration

A key focus of the multi-day itinerary involves showcasing the local infrastructure that supports high-growth creative industries, including the city’s expanding film studio capacity.

Delegates are also examining how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence intersect with traditional cultural assets, specifically looking at the future of the local music economy.

By aligning academic research with commercial applications, the summit seeks to establish durable institutional partnerships that outlast the weekend itinerary.

READ MORE: Young Marketeers Scheme Sees Local Children Run Stalls at Kirkby Market and Liverpool ONE