King Felipe VI has closed the XXX Ibero-American Summit with a message focused on the usefulness of this forum in an international context marked by "fronts, blocs, rivalry and competition," and has claimed the event as a "counterpoint" that demonstrates that "dialogue bears fruit".
During his speech, the monarch stressed that, although global inertias cannot be altered, it is possible to show the world that multilateral diplomacy still makes sense. In his opinion, the spirit that gave rise to the Ibero-American Community at the Guadalajara summit in 1991 "is still valid and useful 35 years later" and, moreover, "comes out strengthened from Madrid".
Felipe VI welcomed the outcome of the meeting, in which a final declaration was approved, something that did not happen at the previous meeting in Cuenca (Ecuador), and in which new initiatives have also emerged such as the Ibero-American Artificial Intelligence Alliance and the Ibero-American Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Civil Protection.
Agreements, development and the role of the Ibero-American General Secretariat
The King recalled that, when Spain assumed the pro tempore secretariat two years ago in Cuenca (Ecuador), it did so with the idea of starting to work as soon as possible on issues of high impact on the daily lives of citizens, an objective that, he said, "has been more than fulfilled" in view of the agreements reached at this summit.
"Now it remains to develop the agreements so that they take flight, becoming tangible realities, with the always invaluable help of the Ibero-American General Secretariat," said Felipe VI, who also praised its head, Andrés Allamand, for "the immense work done."
Before declaring the event closed, the monarch stated that "we have worked well for Ibero-America and we have set a valuable example in a complex time," after which he ended the summit "with that satisfaction."
Honduras takes over the pro tempore secretariat
In the final stretch of the event, Felipe VI passed the baton to Honduras, which now assumes the pro tempore secretariat and will host a summit for the first time in 2027. As he explained, each country that assumes this responsibility "imprints its own stamp on the summits," in a process that is enriched by the diversity of Ibero-American societies and the priorities contributed by each member.
The King said he was "expectant" to know the orientation that Honduras will give to its first presidency and the initiatives with which it will contribute to the common agenda, and expressed his confidence that the Central American country "will know how to combine the continuity of the work already undertaken with new proposals that reflect the priorities and aspirations of all Ibero-Americans."
Addressing the Honduran president, Nasry Asfura, Felipe VI assured that Spain will accompany Honduras in the exercise of the pro tempore secretariat and in the preparation of the XXI Summit, with the conviction that "the continuity of our cooperation must go hand in hand with the ability to renew it."
