The Economists' Forum returns to Barcelona

How do shifts in the global economy affect Catalonia? Is the country's business fabric prepared for a new era? How is technology integrated into companies? These are among the recurring questions asked by business leaders today. There is no simple or definitive answer, but they certainly invite an open space for collective reflection. It is precisely for this reason that the Col·legi d'Economistes de Catalunya is once again hosting the Economists' Forum (Jornada dels Economistes), its flagship annual gathering. Staged under the banner New global order: the Catalan economy at stake, the symposium – held this Friday 13 November at the Hotel InterContinental Barcelona – will examine how unfolding geopolitical dynamics are transforming the world order, how this shift impacts the Catalan economy, and what blueprints it outlines for a new productive model across the country.

Since 1996, the Forum has served as the key meeting point for economists to analyse and debate current affairs alongside the challenges confronting the profession and enterprise. According to figures released by the institution, more than 30,000 attendees have taken part over the years in sessions held across the organisation's regional branches, each featuring an agenda tied to the edition's overarching theme. This journey has tracked the pulse of the Catalan economy: from the structural reforms and globalisation of the 1990s, the rollout of the euro, the 2009 financial crisis, and the fallout of COVID-19, through to digital transformation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence – prominent in editions such as EconomIA: the key to the future, held in 2024. Last year, under the banner New environment, new competitiveness, the Forum marked its 30th anniversary.

Accordingly, this year's edition revisits a theme previously explored in 2016, when geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts within a transforming global order were brought to the table, albeit in a radically different context. Barcelona, however, is merely one of four regional venues for this year's gathering. The Forum has already stopped in Lleida, held on 6 November at the Parador, and will continue in Tarragona on 20 November at FiraReus, before concluding in Girona on 24 November at the Auditori Palau de Congressos. All four sessions share the same guiding thread, tailored with a programme attuned to each specific territory.

Barcelona is merely one of four regional venues for this year's gathering

An elite programme in Barcelona

The Barcelona session will get underway at 09:00 with opening remarks delivered by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the Dean of the Col·legi, Carles Puig de Travy. In addition, there will be a special address by the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño. Following this, Magí Clavé, Director General of Information Systems at the EIB, will deliver the keynote address on technological disruption and geopolitical change.

The morning will proceed with three panel debates: the first, focusing on the pillars of the welfare state, will convene Anton Costas, Xavier Ferràs, Teresa Garcia-Milà, Judit Vall, and Joan Tugores. This discussion will reflect on the current state of public services such as healthcare and education, while also tackling topics including sustainability and migration. The second panel will evaluate the role of professionals and consultancies facing the 21st century, featuring Jordi Alberich, Santiago Durán, Alicia Martínez-Pereda, Joan Roca, and Valentí Pich, concentrating primarily on emerging regulatory frameworks and the adoption of technology within professional practices. The third session will address European strategic autonomy and Catalonia's role, featuring Carme Hortalà, Andrés Martín, Eduard Puig, Rafael Ruiz, and Natàlia Mas, exploring national sovereignty alongside shifting corporate value chains. In between, the Minister for Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, will take part in a dialogue with the Dean.

In parallel, the Rossini Hall will host three specialist sessions. At 10:00, Taxation and AI, featuring Gabriel Parada, Andrea Ros, and Àlex Segarra, moderated by Carme Jover. At 12:00, The role of the economist in the economy of the future, with Miquel Cantenys, Carme Pagès, and Clara Brull, moderated by Ferran Piqué, which will analyse the impact of AI on the labour market, shifting demand for economist profiles in Catalonia, and emerging occupational niches. At 13:00, AI in statutory auditing: automating without compromising professional judgement, traceability, or confidentiality, featuring Carme Monserrat, Gustavo Moreno, and Jordina Santiveri, moderated by Francesc Garreta.

Finally, the closing conversation will be led by the Chairman of Repsol, Antoni Brufau, and the Vice-Dean of the Col·legi and Rector of the UOC, Àngels Fitó. The gathering will draw to a formal close at 14:25 with institutional remarks from the Minister for the European Union and Foreign Action, Jaume Duch.