The President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, and the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, signed a protocol yesterday that establishes an alliance aimed at accelerating progress in research, development and innovation (R&D&I) policies.
The agreement promotes “close collaboration” to launch joint projects in R&D&I, targeting strategic sectors that provide high added value and quality employment.
Following the signing of the document at the regional presidency’s headquarters in Tenerife, Clavijo referred to it as an example of the “good results” arising from the “historic relationship” between the Canary Islands and the Basque Country.
“We have been demonstrating for years that there is an alternative way to do politics, away from confrontation,” stated the Canary Islands executive leader, emphasising the importance of autonomous communities joining forces and projects “by learning from one another and advancing together”.
Collaboration to Diversify the Economy
Clavijo expressed confidence that collaboration will be key in accelerating the “decisive commitment” to diversify the economy of the Archipelago, based on strategically declared sectors—fourteen economic areas where the Canary Islands have “objective advantages” for growth.
These include research, technological development, digitalisation, and innovation—precisely the sectors of “present and future” in which the Canary Islands and the Basque Country will progress together.
Given the high demand for qualified personnel, Clavijo deemed it important to collaborate on training to meet the job demands of a new intelligent and digital society.
In his view, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and intelligent systems will revolutionise work across all sectors, necessitating skilled human capital.
Addressing Workforce Deficits
The Lehendakari remarked, “In Euskadi, we already have a deficit of workers due to the ageing population. At the same time, migrants are arriving who often do not match the qualifications and profiles required by our business fabric.
We must manage this reality. We believe that Tierra Firme, with its expertise in vocational training at its origin, can serve as a significant reference point for us to start developing similar experiences.”
Collaboration in Governance
Collaborating on shared projects, Pradales explained, is the best example of collaborative governance and “a politics based on dialogue, collaboration, and a constant search for the common good, above noise, conflict, and polarisation: “We may be separated by thousands of kilometres, or nautical miles, but we are united by a shared understanding of politics.”
The protocol signed by Clavijo and Pradales opens avenues for collaboration between the Society for Competitive Transformation (SPRI) from the Basque Government and the Canary Agency for Research, Innovation, and Information Society (ACIISI). Both organisations can jointly explore “ways to enhance aspects such as access to funding sources through aid mechanisms or the development of specific programmes for testing digital and sustainable technologies in these territories.”
All technological and research centres in the Canary Islands and the Basque Country will collaborate in strategic sectors such as aerospace, astrophysics, quantum technologies, smart manufacturing, advanced services, health, social health, quality tourism, and environmental sustainability. The emphasis is placed on sustainability and diversification through the blue economy.
