Imanol Pradales: "Euskadi is a good model that serves as a refuge for those seeking stability in an unstable world"

• The Lehendakari closes his presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos with a defence of the Basque model at an event shared with the United Nations
• Imanol Pradales expresses satisfaction with the level achieved in Euskadi’s first participation in this prestigious, top-tier global political and economic forum.

The Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, has today concluded his presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos with an event jointly organised by the Basque Government and the United Nations. Before their representatives, the Lehendakari emphasised in his closing message that Euskadi is a country that offers certainty in a context of uncertainty, thanks to a development model that is an international benchmark for its combination of economic progress, social cohesion and sustainability.

"Our model has drawn attention, and there is a need for it to be better known beyond our own environment. Hence the importance of coming to forums such as Davos, because beyond building alliances, finding networks, and listening, it allows Euskadi to be present and to tell its story and explain its model. It is a model that is beginning to be admired. We live in an increasingly wild and turbulent world, in which people are looking for havens of hope for the future. And the Basque Country is a good model for those seeking stability in an unstable world", stressed the Lehendakari.

Imanol Pradales today concluded his participation in the world’s most important international economic forum, which brings together political and business leaders at the highest level and in which, for the first time, a lehendakari has taken part. An opportunity, Imanol Pradales noted, that has served to learn, build new networks, and begin to showcase Euskadi on the most prominent international economic and political stage.

"What happens in the world affects us directly. Being in Davos has been very positive because we had the opportunity to listen and understand where the new world may be heading. You have to be there in order to know, to anticipate and above all to have allies (such as our own) who will defend a model of well-being, prosperity, freedoms, and global justice. We need to return to Davos because many conversations take place here in which Euskadi must be present in order to prepare its future and the future of the coming generations,” the Lehendakari insisted.

The Basque model

Reflections by the Lehendakari after the event organised in Davos together with the United Nations, at which he was accompanied by the Secretary General for External Action and Euskadi Global, Ander Caballero, and the Ministers of the Treasury and Finance, Noel D'Anjou, and Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi.

In his speech, the Lehendakari highlighted Euskadi’s current strengths, including an advanced, innovative, and socially balanced industrial economy, aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and committed to Europe’s sustainable reindustrialisation.

In this context, he emphasized public-private collaboration as one of the pillars of the Basque model, key to mobilising investment, driving innovation, and ensuring stability and confidence, presenting Euskadi as a reliable and attractive region in a global landscape marked by uncertainty.

A dialogue held with international actors, business leaders, policymakers and investors on Euskadi’s role in European reindustrialisation and the strengthening of the European project, focusing on the Basque model of well-being, which combines two pillars: competitiveness and sustainability on one hand, and growth and social cohesion on the other. And which is built and driven, Imanol Pradales emphasised, on highly valuable foundations such as institutional stability, economic self-government, public-private collaboration, an industrial fabric strongly oriented toward innovation, the scientific-technological ecosystem, a manufacturing culture and the commitment of emerging sectors, among others.

"Euskadi offers stability, seriousness and clear rules. Telling the story in Euskadi is important, but also beyond our borders. We return satisfied", concluded the Lehendakari.