Written statement (Wales): The Cardiff Agreement - Cytundeb Caerdydd between the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government - Sep 15

Rt Hon Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, First Minister: On 14 September 2026, I signed The Cardiff Agreement - Cytundeb Caerdydd' with the First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon. John Swinney MSP, during his visit to Cardiff. The Agreement establishes a strategic framework for closer cooperation between the Welsh Government and Scottish Government on matters of shared interest, while respecting the distinct democratic mandates, priorities and accountabilities of both governments.

The Agreement marks an important step in strengthening the relationship between the Welsh and Scottish Governments. Although each government remains accountable to its own legislature and operates within its own democratic mandate, many of the opportunities and challenges facing Wales and Scotland are shared. The Agreement provides a framework for deeper cooperation on issues that matter to people across both our nations, enabling our governments to share expertise, draw on the knowledge and experience available across both governments, and advance shared interest through more effective policy development and delivery, while recognising that each government will continue to determine its own policies and priorities

The Agreement reflects our shared commitment to strengthen democracy and democratic accountability and respecting the right of our citizens to determine their constitutional futures through democratic means. 

The Agreement identifies shared areas for cooperation, including

• tackling child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families.
• addressing cost of living pressures, improving living standards, supporting households and communities to thrive. 
• promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and prosperity.
• considering fiscal arrangements which support effective government, provide transparency and accountability, and enable our governments to deliver for the people they serve.
• tackling climate change and strengthening resilience, supporting the long-term sustainability of communities and economies.
• ensuring that our governments are outward looking, collaborative and ambitious in our international activity demonstrating good global citizenship, to maximise economic opportunities and addressing shared demographic and societal challenges, maximising the opportunities and benefits of our relationships with the European Union and other international partners.
• recognising the importance of language, culture, media and sport in expressing national identity, supporting communities and enhancing wellbeing.

The Agreement sits alongside, and does not replace, our broader commitment to positive intergovernmental relations across the United Kingdom. The Welsh Government will continue to work closely with the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and other partners on matters of shared interest, including through established intergovernmental mechanisms.