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

Liverpool Welcomes Europe (LWE), 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.

LWE has been named as a Core City exemplar model in UK-EU relations by the EU Delegation to the UK, with Core Cities coming to learn from the Liverpool model.

The two-day event got underway last night (17 June) at a civic reception hosted at Liverpool’s Town Hall and will see leaders from the UK and Europe join representatives from the private sector. The diplomatic business conference 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, AI and its impact on the music industry, Liverpool’s global success as a filming location, leveraging technology for good, as well as the real world opportunities and challenges in the post-Brexit landscape.

Reflecting Liverpool’s global soft power and cultural influence — reinforced by major music industry figures in attendance — the programme also highlights the strength of the city’s creative industries, marking the anniversary of its UNESCO City of Music status and building on its recognition as a European Capital of Innovation award finalist.

Liverpool Welcomes Europe is being attended by a unique mix of EU representatives, Leaders and Mayors from across Europe including non-EU countries, as well as key figures from local and international businesses and academia. It includes a strong presence of delegates from the Republic of Ireland and Germany.

The event is supported by HM Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

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.”

MusicFutures presents: Liverpool & Europe: Powering The Next Creative Economy

As part of the wider Liverpool Welcomes Europe programme, MusicFutures hosted an event that took place at the Liverpool Experience Campus, including a networking lunch.

The session brought together investors, industry leaders and MusicFutures industry partners, including an intimate performance from local jazz artist, Ni Maxine.

The discussion placed music at the centre of a wider creative-tech conversation spanning film, games and immersive media, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the production, distribution and monetisation of creative content. It also addressed emerging questions around intellectual property, ownership, business models and cross-border regulatory conditions affecting creative industries.

Programme partners included the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Experience Campus, and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The session explored Liverpool’s growing position at the intersection of music, AI, immersive media, film, games, sport and advanced digital infrastructure, and how the Liverpool City Region can play a more active role in European creative and innovation networks.

A key focus was on moving from civic ambition to investable opportunity – including infrastructure, IP creation, production innovation, venture formation and long-term ecosystem development – and the role of private sector and international investment in enabling the next phase of growth.