The second day of the Mediterranean Economic and Social Forum, an event organized by Prensa Ibérica with support from the La Caixa Foundation, highlighted the strength of Spain’s five eastern autonomous communities. Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, the Region of Murcia, and Andalusia are positioned to drive national progress by leveraging their momentum. Participants emphasized the importance of dialogue and solidarity to advance the green transition, secure water resources amid rising populations and agricultural needs, and address migration. The chief executive of Prensa Ibérica, Aitor Moll, closed the event announcing a planned second edition next year in Málaga. Moll stated that the forum has made them different and better.
The Palau de les Arts in Valencia hosted more than a thousand attendees, including business leaders, scholars, and speakers from Spain and abroad. Nadia Calviño, former first Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and president of the European Investment Bank, opened the day and underscored unity as a key driver of progress. She remarked that agreements and cooperation strengthen a country, and that Spaniards must stand together to become stronger.
Calviño also described the European Investment Bank as the climate investment bank, stressing its role in advancing the green transition through renewable energy projects and driving Spain toward energy sovereignty via efficient green growth. She highlighted the bank’s function in reinforcing Spain as a major player in renewables.
The green transition is closely tied to Brussels led decarbonization efforts aimed at combating climate change. A central issue of the day was the impact of climate change on tourism, a cornerstone of the five Mediterranean regions’ economies. Vicente Marí, president of the Consell d Eivissa, stressed the need for low or zero carbon tourism and noted that Balearic authorities have reached an agreement to form a transformation table to ensure the tourism sector remains the driver of prosperity while becoming sustainable.
Marga Prohens, president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, argued that strong environmental management is essential to fighting climate change and ensuring the future of tourism, which alone accounts for about 40 percent of the islands’ GDP. She asserted that the Mediterranean is Spain’s leading growth engine and warned that tourism growth cannot simply rise in volume, as that may not translate into well-being. The discussion focused on setting limits to prevent congestion that affects both residents and visitors.
A major challenge for the Mediterranean coastal regions is water scarcity amid population growth and agricultural demand. Fernando López Miras, president of the Region of Murcia, highlighted the forum’s emphasis on dialogue and scientific rigor. He recalled that water resources belong to all Spaniards and that, constitutionally, water management should involve national authorities to prevent internal conflicts.
The debate also centered on migration and the urgent need to confront the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. Óscar Camps, founder and director of Open Arms, warned that climate change will drive hundreds of millions of people to move and questioned whether existing systems are prepared. Camps argued that the European Union should not fund armed groups in Libya or other areas that hinder rescue efforts for people saved at sea.
Antonio Garamendi, head of the Spanish employers’ association CEOE, acknowledged positive momentum in the Spanish economy but cautioned against complacency. He pointed to the tourism sector, the substantial European funds that have flowed into the country, and a growing population as factors expanding consumption.
A closing video showed the mayors of Valencia and Málaga passing the baton, signaling the end of the first Mediterranean Economic and Social Forum.