International relations of Scotland

International relations of Scotland include the promotion of Scotland and its culture and education and research, the Economy of Scotland, Scottish interests abroad and positioning Scotland internationally as a global, responsible country. The responsibility for Scotland's international relations ultimately rests with the First Minister of Scotland, who is supported in international relations and overseas visits by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. Scottish culture is celebrated in a number of countries worldwide, a symbolism of the approximately 40 million Scottish diaspora globally. Events such as Tartan Day are celebrated in the United States, Canada and New Zealand annually.^[1]

The Scottish Government has connections with a variety of countries globally such as the United States, China, Canada, India and Pakistan through respective engagement strategies established in conjunction with each countries respective governments. Ministers from the Scottish Government promote Scotland through other measures, including attending events and conducting ministerial engagements within Europe, the promotion of enhanced Scottish-Arctic relations, as defined in the government's Arctic Connections: Scotland's Arctic policy framework (2019), as well as participating in a number of engagements with the United Nations, such as the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.^[2]

Scotland and the Scottish Government have international relations with businesses, governments and parliaments of other countries, regions and unions, such as the European Union. As of 2023, Scotland has a total of nine Scottish Government offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Paris and Washington D.C.. The Scottish Government plan on opening a further office in Warsaw by the end of the current parliamentary term.^[3] A further thirty international offices of Scotland are currently operating in a further twenty countries.^[3] Scottish offices in other countries act as a mechanism to promote collaboration and engagement between the Scottish Government and other international governments. Two Scotland Houses, one in London and another in Brussels are both independent establishments created by the Scottish Government to promote Scotland, the economy and investment in these areas. Additionally, Scotland has eight Scottish Government international offices, and over thirty Scottish Development International offices globally, with seven Scottish Government offices based in British embassies or British High Commission offices.^[4]

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