Welcome !

The International Division focuses its attention on three special areas:

• The award-winning Maryland Sister States Program. Chaired by the Secretary of State, steered by a devoted and spirited Advisory Board of Directors, and staffed by an army of citizen volunteers, the Sister States Program was established in 1980 to provide a forum for the promotion of international cooperation and understanding. Learn more about each of our ten relationships by clicking on the links to the right. If you would like more information regarding the benefits of the Sister States Program, please click here.

• The Governor’s Subcabinet on International Affairs. Details about its mission and functions can be found by selecting the "About Us" button above. For more information about each agency in the Subcabinet, select a state agency from the drop down menu below.

• The Maryland International Consortium. The Division’s newest initiative, with support from the City of Annapolis, the Maryland Municipal League, and the Maryland Association of Counties, the consortium seeks to lend support to various international efforts including Rotary International, Maryland’s cities and towns, both incorporated and unincorporated, and various organizations. Stay tuned.

For more information on any of these International activities, please contact Mary E. Nitsch, Director of International Affairs at 410-260-3865 or mnitsch@sos.state.md.us 


John P. McDonough, Secretary of State

Agencies that comprise the Subcabinet on International Affairs
Agencies in the Subcabinet Maryland Department of Agriculture Higher Education Commission ... Colleges & Universities ... Maryland International Education Association Dept. of Business & Economic Development Maryland Department of Transportation ... International Offices ... Contact Information Office of the Lieutenant Governor Maryland Department of the Environment Maryland State Department of Education

Maps of the Sister States
Select a desired map Anhui Province, China Bong Co. & Maryland Co., Liberia Gyeongsangnam Province, South Korea State of Jalisco, Mexico Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Leningrad Region/City of St. Petersburg, Russia Lodz Region, Poland State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Walloon Region, Belgium

Memorandums of Understanding - pdf file
Select the desired MOU Anhui Province, China Bong Co. & Maryland Co., Liberia Gyeongsangnam Province, South Korea State of Jalisco, Mexico Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Leningrad Region/City of St. Petersburg, Russia Lodz Region, Poland State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Walloon Region, Belgium

The International Mission Briefing is to be completed by state agency representatives who are coordinating official state visits overseas for their agencies. Please send the completed form to Ms. Mary E. Nitsch, Director of International Affairs, Office of the Secretary of State.  click here for form

The International Delegation Request for meeting with State of Maryland form is to be completed by representatives of foreign delegations and returned to the appropriate representative of the state agency with which the delegation is requesting a meeting. It is suggested that the state agency representative answer in writing exactly what the agency can provide.
click here for form

What are Sister State
      Relationships?
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      States Program
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Russia

Poland

Mexico

Brazil

China

Japan

Belgium

S. Korea

Liberia