Spain-United States Forum: Public-private collaboration, key to facing global challenges

It has celebrated its twenty-seventh edition

Santa Fe, New Mexico, has hosted the Spain-United States Forum, organized since 1997 by the Foundation
Spain-USA Council and the United States Spain Council.

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The twenty-seventh edition of the Spain-United States Forum, celebrated on Santa Fe, New Mexico, brought together more than a hundred experts from both countries to address three crucial issues on the bilateral agenda: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and climate change.

 

In his closing speech, Joshua Jon Imaz, President of the Spain-USA Council FoundationHe emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration to address the challenges in these areas. "Artificial intelligence, cyber defense, and climate change are issues that require joint action from companies and public administrations to find effective solutions," he stated.

 

The senator from New Mexico and honorary president of the United States Spain Council, Ben Ray LujanHe expressed his satisfaction with the forum's success and the opportunity to bring together experts from both countries to discuss these important issues. "I am confident that, following this forum, the enduring relationship between the United States and Spain will be stronger than ever," he noted.

 

Artificial intelligence: opportunities and challenges

 

The forum addressed the unstoppable advance of artificial intelligence, highlighting its industrial potential and the risks associated with its development. The speakers agreed on the need for a regulation through legislation that promotes ethical, responsible and adapted technological development to the international regulatory frameworks.

 

In this context, the importance of public-private collaboration was highlighted, especially between United States and the European Union, to establish security standards that protect user data. Spanish companies stand out for their technological capacity as reliable partners for public administrations in the implementation of national technological development and data processing strategies.

 

The opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence, the fight against cybercrime at the international level and the impact of climate change and drought on citizens have been the central topics of the work sessions

 

Energy and climate change: the urgency of decarbonization

 

The development of artificial intelligence requires a large demand for energy, which represents a challenge on the path to decarbonization of the economy. The speakers warned that the energy transition process is progressing slower than expected, mainly due to lack of financing.

 

In this sense, wind and solar energy are presented as the most viable sources of clean energy, with zero generation costs once installed. However, the possibility that the energy transition will generate new dependencies on third countries is one of the biggest concerns. To avoid this, the importance of securing supply chains for critical materials was emphasized.

 

Cybersecurity: a global threat that requires joint action

 

The fight against cybercrime was another of the central topics of the forum. The experts agreed that the multidimensionality of threats, both in the public and private sectors, and the protection of critical infrastructures are the main concerns in terms of national security.

 

The response to these threats requires joint and proactive collaboration between companies, governments and intelligence services at an international level, especially between European Union and United States. The public sector must assume its role as guarantor of citizens' cybersecurity and the development of codes of good practices that defend democratic values. Companies, for their part, must invest in the protection of sensitive data and in the training of talent specialized in cyber defense.

 

Cultural exchange through film and television

 

The second day of the forum focused on the potential of audiovisual language to promote cultural exchange between Spain and the United States. The ambassador Julissa Reynoso moderated a talk on opportunities for collaboration between the audiovisual sector of both countries.

 

More than 25 years strengthening transoceanic dialogue

 

The Spain-United States Forum is a reference platform for dialogue between Spanish and American civil societies. Since its first edition in 1995, it has demonstrated its usefulness as a tool to strengthen bilateral relations within a framework of public-private collaboration.

 

La Spain-USA Council Foundation and the United States Spain Council They are the organizing entities of the forum. Both entities are the only non-public entities mentioned in the Joint Declaration signed between Spain and the United States in 2022 to intensify cultural and educational exchanges.

 

Public-private collaboration, key to a shared future

 

The conclusions of the Spain-United States Forum highlight the need for joint action between companies and public administrations to face the global challenges that lie ahead. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and climate change are just some of the issues that require close collaboration between both countries to build a more prosperous and sustainable future.