Barcelona is placing greater emphasis on protecting human rights and advancing dialogue: Deputy Mayor for International Relations Maria Eugènia Gay, speaking at a meeting in the Círculo Ecuestre, openly stated that cities must become active defenders of peace and European values. According to her, amid growing polarization, municipalities should take the initiative and oppose the decisions of world leaders who, in her view, ignore historical lessons and fail to understand current challenges.
During a discussion with World in Progress director Nina Khalatyan, organized by the Georgetown Club Of Spain, Gay stressed that cities must not only declare their commitment to rights but also reject supporting the arms race. She called for investment in peace, social cohesion, and the fight against inequality rather than the military sector. The Deputy Mayor recalled the recent opening of Barcelona’s office in Brussels and the city’s participation in international forums where issues of peace and human rights are discussed.
Maria Eugènia Gay paid special attention to new municipal initiatives. Among them is the establishment of the Barcelona Internacional por la Paz prize, which is second only to the Nobel Prize in size and amounts to 300,000 euros. In urban policy, housing remains a priority: the authorities intend to increase the municipal housing stock, restrict the operation of tourist apartments by 2028, contain price growth, and expand support for tenants. The city is also implementing climate projects: developing cycling infrastructure, creating new pedestrian zones, introducing permeable surfaces, and using rainwater as part of the climate change adaptation plan.
In the context of new challenges for cities and society, issues of balancing innovation and responsibility are increasingly discussed in Spain. Recently, a judge was fined in the country for using artificial intelligence when preparing a court ruling—this case sparked wide resonance and became a subject of debate within the professional community. You can read more about this in the article about the first fine for a judge over the use of Chat GPT.
