The Spain-United States Council Foundation is a private civil society initiative, with backing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, which involves participation from large corporations, cultural and academic institutions and senior officials from public authorities, set up with the aim of boosting existing ties in various fields of activity - economic, financial, cultural, educational, political and professional - between civil society and institutions in Spain and the United States, thus fostering greater mutual understanding and generating new and beneficial projects in these fields.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Josep Borrell, gave a speech at the inaugural dinner of the 23rd Spain-United States Forum, before 40 representatives of businesses and institutions in Spain and the United States, underlying the importance of the values and principles of the Euro-Atlantic community and bilateral relations with the United States. He highlighted the important support that Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain have always offered the Spain-United States Forum, and the key role played by companies and civil society in relations between the two countries, recalling Spain's contribution to the birth of the United States.
He also declared that Spain - which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Constitution, at a time when the world is facing major challenges - is "a European, supportive and responsible society, with a clear global vocation".
At the inaugural session of the Forum, speeches were also given by the President of the Spain-United States Council Foundation, José Manuel Entrecanales; the Honorary President of the United States-Spain Council, Senator Tim Kaine, and the Spanish Ambassador to the United State, Santiago Cabanas, and the US Ambassador to Spain, Duke Buchan.
In the first working session, given over to Africa and the Mediterranean, experts advocated public-private collaboration on migratory affairs, and the need to view migratory flows as an opportunity in an era of mobility, as advocated by the High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda, Cristina Gallach.
Saturday morning's sessions were given over to the challenges facing smart cities in terms of sustainability, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work, education and training.
It was agreed at the meeting to hold the next Spain-United States Forum in San Antonio, Texas in 2019.
Non official translation
Ministerio de Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación