Today, July 24th, the city of Vancouver issued a Proclamation celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Vancouver-Odesa Sister City Partnership.

On August 14, 1944, the City of Vancouver resolved to enter into a Sister City relationship with the City of Odesa. This was Vancouver's first sister-city relationship, established as a mark of interest, goodwill, and friendship toward the people of Odesa. This was also the first sister-city relationship established between the cities of our two countries.

Over the past eight decades, this partnership has fostered international trade, digital technology development, cultural exchange, and lasting friendships between Odesa and Vancouver, two cities connecting Ukraine and Canada.

Today, Vancouver supports Ukraine’s right to peacefully exist as a free and democratic nation. Vancouver wishes to continue this relationship with Odesa in a free and independent Ukraine.

May Odesa and Vancouver continue to deepen their friendship, achieve great success, and strengthen collaboration in the years to come!