The Board met with a threefold objective: to review the current state of bilateral relations, to assess and plan its activities, and to welcome Exolum and EDP Renewables as new members
The Spain-Australia Council Foundation (FCEA) held its Board of Trustees meeting on 10 June at ACCIONA’s headquarters. Joaquín Mollinedo, President of the FCEA, welcomed Luis Fonseca, Director General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Jordi Colgan, Director General for Economic Diplomacy, who attended as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
In their remarks, both highlighted the excellent state of bilateral relations and their growing importance in the current international context. They also underlined Australia’s strategic value for Spain in areas such as foreign trade, investment, critical raw materials and the framework of the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Recent progress in the areas of security, defence and gender equality was also noted, as well as the aspiration to hold a high-level Spain-Australia Forum in the future.
New additions to the Board of Trustees
During the meeting, the incorporation of two new companies into the FCEA was formalised: EXOLUM and EDP Renewables (EDPR), both of which have a strong interest in the Australian market through their respective commitments to decarbonisation and renewable energy. Representing the new members were Paloma Izquierdo, Global Director of Public Affairs at EXOLUM, and João Machado, Executive Director, Business Development APAC at EDPR.
The Board also approved the admission of the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI). These new members enhance the Foundation’s sectoral diversity and further strengthen its institutional base.
A semester of intense activity
María Victoria González Román, Ambassador and Secretary General of the FCEA, presented a comprehensive review of the Foundation’s activities during the first half of 2026. Highlights included the presentation of the Spanish Government’s Asia-Pacific Strategy, meetings with a range of public and private institutions, and initiatives aimed at promoting the teaching of Spanish in Australia.
The Board was also informed of the forthcoming publication of the Third Spain-Australia Business Climate Barometer, which is expected to be presented jointly with the Embassy of Spain in Australia and the Australia Spain Business Association (ASBA).
Upcoming activities
Looking ahead, the Foundation’s agenda includes the second edition of the RMIT Study Tour in July, which will bring a group of Australian students to Madrid to gain first-hand insight into Spain’s business ecosystem.
Preparations are also underway for the eighth edition of the Australian Leaders Programme, which will focus on Australia’s association with Pillar II of Horizon Europe and the new opportunities this creates for cooperation in research and innovation.
In the longer term, the FCEA is working on the organisation of a Spain-Australia Forum in 2027, featuring thematic sessions on security and defence, business and innovation, and soft diplomacy.
Sustained digital growth
The Foundation’s communications report for the first half of the year reflects sustained growth across all its digital platforms, with a significant proportion of followers based in Australia. The Australian Leaders Programme continues to be the FCEA’s main driver of visibility and engagement.
The meeting reflected the image of a Spain-Australia Council Foundation with a strong institutional base and an increasingly ambitious and far-reaching agenda, at a time when Australia is playing an ever more relevant role in Spain’s foreign policy and in the internationalisation strategies of Spanish companies.
List of Attendees
