Politics · Other · 9 hrs ago
Albares urges Ibero-American firms to work together and grow
Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares urged Ibero-American firms to cooperate and grow at a business forum in Madrid.
The forum accompanies the XXX Ibero-American Summit, which is being held in Madrid this week.
More than 2,000 people from 42 countries are taking part in the business meeting.
Albares said geopolitical rivalry, competition over technology and disruptions to supply chains are challenges that no country can tackle alone.
He called for governments and businesses to work together to increase investment, innovation and job creation.
The region’s market of 600 million people could create new business opportunities, he said, including in renewable energy, biotechnology and future technologies.
Albares urged small and medium-sized firms to join forces, and asked business groups to prepare proposals for leaders at the summit.
José Manuel Albares urged Ibero-American companies to cooperate and grow to improve their competitiveness.
Speaking at the 16th Ibero-American Business Meeting, he called for closer public-private collaboration to boost investment, innovation and jobs.
He said Spain was a stable and reliable partner for Ibero-American countries amid rising geopolitical rivalry.
Albares urged the region to develop technology and take part in every stage of production rather than remain a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
The meeting in Madrid brought together more than 2,000 participants from 42 countries.
- Who
- Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, addressing Ibero-American companies and countries.
- What
- He urged businesses to cooperate and grow, and called for public-private collaboration to improve competitiveness and support investment, innovation and jobs.
- When
- At the 16th Ibero-American Business Meeting, held during the week of November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- Albares said cooperation could help the region meet global economic challenges, raise competitiveness and create opportunities for growth and employment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The 16th Ibero-American Business Meeting took place in Madrid alongside the 30th Ibero-American Summit.
Albares urged Ibero-American businesses and countries to cooperate to strengthen competitiveness and support investment, innovation and employment.
- Participants
- More than 2,000
- Countries represented
- 42
- Venue
- Las Ventas bullring, Madrid
- Regional market
- 600 million people and potential consumers
- Spanish recovery-plan funding mobilised
- More than €30 billion
- Expected total mobilisation
- €160 billion
2 sources
What people are saying
We must not only compete; we must cooperate, we must collaborate more
The current international context is one of geopolitical rivalry and growing uncertainty
No country can respond to these challenges on its own
We have to take part in every stage of the production process, research, design, transform, manufacture, market