Wisconsin and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté establish sister-region partnership

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France and the U.S. state of Wisconsin have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a formal sister-region relationship. The agreement was signed on October 19, 2026, by Jérôme Durain, president of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers at the Capitol in Madison.

The partnership aims to foster economic, scientific, and educational exchanges. Key areas of cooperation include agriculture and the dairy industry, biohealth and biotherapies, research and higher education, water technology, clean energy, and culture.

Jérôme Durain noted that the relationship is already seeing practical results, with companies and researchers collaborating in fields such as biotherapies. Governor Evers described the agreement as a new step in an increasingly fruitful relationship that aims to promote mutual growth and prosperity.