Pedro Sánchez advocates multilateralism as the only solution to the major global challenges

Davos (Switzerland)

At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), the President of the Government described Spain as "a country open to the world" with "a clear desire" to fight for a more cohesive, fair and sustainable world. In his speech at the plenary session, the President of the Government stated that, faced with cases of nationalistic entrenchment in all fields, his government is decisively committed to effective and inclusive multilateralism as the only solution to the major global challenges.

After being presented by the Secretary-General of the OECD, Ángel Gurría, Pedro Sánchez outlined the five main challenges, the same as he presented in his investiture speech. The first is to bed down growth tied in to the creation of dignified jobs; in this regard, Pedro Sánchez announced an urgent and extensive revision of labour law and the drafting of a 21st Century Workers' Statute.

The second priority is the digital transformation. The government, remarked Pedro Sánchez, will prioritise research and training at all levels, particularly in the case of vocational training. By the year 2025, Spain will need to create 200,000 new places for these studies.

The ecological transition is the third main challenge - the climate emergency represents a disaster that recognises no borders and today's generation is the last that will be able to provide a response, said Pedro Sánchez. The Council of Ministers approved the Declaration of Climate Emergency on Tuesday and the government is committed to moving towards a carbon-free energy model sustained by renewable sources of energy, which creates jobs and always seeks to protect the most vulnerable.

Public policies to foster equality

Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoFourthly, it is urgent to continue making progress on real equality between men and women. Pedro Sánchez stated that the feminism of his government is reflected in the equal composition of men and women and in the fact that three of the four vice-presidencies of the government are held by women. He also announced that this hallmark of his government will translate into public policies that foster equality, such as a law that guarantees equal pay through wage transparency and the regulation of the Criminal Code on sexual consent.

Fighting poverty and inequality, stated Pedro Sánchez, is the fifth challenge, which requires working on fiscal justice, establishing a minimum living wage, strengthening the Welfare State and guaranteeing public pensions.

The President of the Government underlined that the government will address these challenges with a more robust and balanced economy than in the past and through fiscal discipline. Maintaining the commitment to reduce the public deficit and debt, he argued, will generate confidence among economic agents and increase the scope for action by the government to resolve citizens' problems, thus combating the discourse of the far right, nationalism and populism and strengthening the democratic system and the social market economy.

Bilateral meetings

Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoThe President of the Government's agenda at Davos, which began on Tuesday with his attendance at the commemorative dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the forum, includes his participation at a round table on growth and climate change, and bilateral meeting with the Presidents or Prime Ministers of Switzerland, Colombia, Ecuador and Singapore and with the CEOs of large technology and industrial companies, as well as a meeting with a group of international investors.

The Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño, and the Fourth Vice-President of the Government and Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, are also taking in the forum on Wednesday to convey the government's priorities to the international community.

Non official translation