Sterling Heights city officials have signed up to create a Sister City agreement with Ankawa, Iraq to highlight and expand upon a cultural and economic partnership between the two communities.

The Sister City agreement was initiated by Chaldean Community Foundation President Martin Manna and Ankawa Mayor Ramy Noori Awdish as an opportunity to connect the cities to promote commerce and Chaldean culture, officials said in a news release.

Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said the agreement represents the “deep significance” Ankawa holds for many of the the city’s residents.

“This Sister City agreement is more than just a symbolic gesture,” Taylor said in the release. “It is a commitment to working together to build bridges of friendship and cooperation that will enrich both communities. We’re excited to learn and grow together, and the first step is this Sister City partnership.”

Members of the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to establish initiative at their Aug. 20 meeting.

Sterling Heights is the fourth most-populated city in Michigan, with about 24% of its 134,000 residents being of Middle Eastern descent, according to 2020 census data. And out of those, 86% have roots in Iraq and a majority of the Iraqi Americans are Chaldean, Assyrian or Syriac, which are Iraqi Christian groups.

Chaldeans are Iraqi Catholics, a group that is has established a foothold and made their presence known in Sterling Heights, which has the highest percentage of Iraqi Americans in Michigan.

About 28% of Sterling Heights residents are immigrants, with the largest group from Iraq, according to 2022 census data. Iraqis make up the third largest immigrant group in the state after people from India and Mexico.

According to the news release, Sister City agreements are meant to be long-term partnerships that foster an environment where economic and community development can be implemented. The partnership aims to foster cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and mutual understanding between the two cities.

Ankawa is located in the Kurdistan Region, an autonomous administrative entity within the Republic of Iraq. Officials say it is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly as a center for the Chaldean Christian community.