Beginning this Thursday at the University of Alicante, scholars and practitioners will examine the forces shaping Spain’s GDP in the current environment. This annual event is organized by the UA Institute of International Economics in collaboration with the Free Economic Association and attracts close to a hundred students alongside an equivalent number of professors and practitioners. The gathering takes place in the Afredo Orts lecture hall within the Optics and Optometry building, a setting designed to foster rigorous debate and practical insight into national economic performance.
Opening remarks will come from a lineup that includes a Vice Rector for Economic and Strategic Planning, a Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Commercial Sciences, and the honorary president of the Free Economic Association, complemented by a co-director of the conference who also directs the Department of Applied Economic Analysis. Their remarks underscore the conference’s aim: to connect theoretical frameworks with real policy impacts as Spain navigates a period of economic adjustment and reform.
Key topics slated for discussion cover the effects of European Union recovery funds on the integration process, regional disparities in growth, and the evaluation of public policies across Spain. The program also explores new patterns in the labor market, gender differences in employment, tourism as a driver of resilience, and developments in the external sector. A thorough examination of recent Spanish fiscal policy rounds out the agenda, offering attendees a comprehensive view of fiscal space, public investment, and macroeconomic stability.
Sessions promise to illuminate how the national economy can adapt to evolving global conditions. The conference provides a rare chance to test the practical relevance of economic concepts taught in classrooms and to gauge their applicability to regional business and policy decisions. It is open to regional professionals through collaborations with respected institutions and industry bodies, underscoring the value of cross-sector dialogue in translating theory into concrete action. The event is a collaborative effort with the Illustrious College of Economists, the Cajamurcia Foundation, and the Port Authority of Alicante, reflecting a broad ecosystem of support for economic scholarship in the region.
Lessons
This year includes a moment of reflection featuring remarks from one of the field’s founding voices, along with senior figures who have shaped economic debate for decades. A prominent lecture will address the link between economic policy and geopolitical considerations, illustrating how global developments influence Spain’s economic strategy and regional standing. The discussions aim to clarify how national policy choices interact with international forces, offering attendees a richer understanding of macroeconomic dynamics and policy design.
Additionally, the conference celebrates the Gold Medal award in recognition of exceptional service to economic scholarship. The recipient has steered energy policy research and chaired important national energy commissions, while continuing to contribute to energy sustainability research at a leading university. The Fuentes Quintana Lecture will focus on the challenges and opportunities arising from the energy transition, highlighting the role of innovation, regulation, and market design in advancing a cleaner and more resilient economy.
The event also spotlights ongoing efforts to accelerate the energy transition in the broader context of economic competitiveness. Participants will explore incentives, investment strategies, and policy coherence needed to strengthen Spain’s position in a rapidly changing energy landscape while supporting sustainable growth across sectors.
Economists gathered at the African Union demand incentives to accelerate the energy transition and increase the competitiveness of companies
The conference is supported by key partners including the Port Authority of Alicante and the Institute for Fiscal Studies of the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration. It benefits from the input of the Alicante College of Economists, the Cajamurcia Foundation, the Free Economic Association, and the International Economic Association. The University of Alicante Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences, along with its Vice Rector for Research, the Department of Applied Economic Analysis, and the Institute of International Economics, plays a central role in coordinating these discussions and ensuring the event aligns with national and regional priorities in economic research and policy. The gathering demonstrates how a university community can catalyze practical policy dialogue that informs both the public sector and private enterprise.