The Head of Government of Andorra, Xavier Espot, has highlighted digitalization, climate resilience and inclusion as central pillars of the Andorran agenda at the 30th Ibero-American Summit being held in Madrid.
Espot made these considerations during the speech delivered this Thursday in the plenary session, in which he also defended the validity of inclusive multilateralism, as the Andorran Executive reported in a statement.
Before addressing political issues, the Head of Government conveyed, on behalf of the Andorran people, his condolences to Spanish authorities and to the families of the victims of the railway tragedy in Toledo, expressing the solidarity of the Principality.
He recalled that five years ago Andorra hosted the 27th Summit, held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic context, in which innovation for sustainable development was established as the main line of work.
The Andorran leader has emphasized that, although global challenges have evolved and digitalization has broadened its reach, Andorra’s premise remains intact: “no country can face the major challenges alone”.
In this line, he has highlighted the new Ibero-American Cooperation Strategy as an instrument for achieving concrete results that directly affect the quality of life of citizens.
With regard to digital transformation, Espot has welcomed the launch of the Ibero-American Alliance for Artificial Intelligence, promoted by Spain, and has stated that AI must represent an opportunity that combines innovation, security and inclusion, preventing it from becoming a factor that exacerbates inequalities.
Civil Protection and Sustainable Tourism
On the other hand, he announced Andorra’s commitment to take on, in 2027, the first rotating presidency of the Technical Secretariat of the Ibero-American Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Civil Protection.
Likewise, he reiterated the Principality’s full support for the Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in Ibero-America and for the Ibero-American Tourism Agenda 2026-2036.
On social inclusion and education, the head of government has announced Andorra’s accession to the Ibero-American Charter for Care and Support to address the challenge of demographic aging and to guarantee the protection of older people.
It has also positively assessed the expansion of the Ibero-American community through the entry of new associated observer States (India, Angola and Turkey) and of the Association of Caribbean States as a consultative observer.
Bilaterial agenda in Madrid
During the working day in Madrid, Espot held a meeting with Colombia’s vice president, José Manuel Restrepo Abondano, and with Ecuador’s vice president, María José Pinto, focused on strengthening cooperation in the economic and migration areas.
In this context, preparations have been discussed for the signing of an agreement on recruitment at origin that orders the migration flow and guarantees both labor rights and the needs of workers of both countries in Andorra.
Likewise, Espot has interviewed Ukraine’s president, Volodímir Zelenski, to whom he has reiterated Andorra’s firm support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, highlighting the Principality’s commitment to international law.