Catalonia and the Mexican state of Jalisco have officially agreed to close cooperation in artificial intelligence, supercomputing technologies, and combating climate change. On Monday, a memorandum was signed in Guadalajara, opening up new opportunities for experience sharing and joint initiatives between the two regions. The document was signed by the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, and the Governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus.
During the visit, Illa emphasized that Catalonia aims to build a solid strategy for engagement with Latin America, where Mexico and Jalisco will play a special role. According to Lemus, both sides have already outlined areas of cooperation—from tourism to scientific research and innovation. The meeting took place at the Jalisco representation in Guadalajara, where Illa arrived on an official visit that will continue through Thursday.
Technology and Science
One of the key aspects of the agreement is cooperation between the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the Centro de Análisis de Datos y Supercómputo (CADS) at the University of Guadalajara. Guadalajara has long been considered Mexico’s answer to Silicon Valley, and both parties hope to leverage this potential for the development of joint high-tech projects.
The plan includes not only the exchange of knowledge and experience between scientists, but also the launch of educational programs for students from both countries. Authorities in Jalisco have expressed interest in establishing a direct flight between Barcelona and Guadalajara to facilitate connections between universities and businesses. Ilya supported this idea, noting that a direct flight could act as a catalyst for new joint initiatives.
Education and Exchanges
The agreement places special emphasis on educational exchanges. Catalonia and Jalisco aim to develop programs for students and young professionals, allowing them to undertake internships and training at leading research centers in both regions. This is expected to foster strong ties between universities and research institutes.
Governor Lemus reminded that Guadalajara will be one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup and also promised to visit Barcelona soon during the international tourism fair Fitur. This event could further boost tourism and business relations between Catalonia and Jalisco.
Ecology and Innovation
The parties also discussed opportunities for joint efforts in environmental protection. Priorities include sharing best practices in combating climate change, preventing forest fires, and preserving biodiversity. Negotiators also highlighted other promising areas, such as developing the audiovisual industry and introducing innovative solutions across various economic sectors.
The signing ceremony was attended by Spain’s ambassador to Mexico, Juan Duarte Cuadrado, the advisor for European Union affairs and external relations, Jaume Duch, and the Catalan government’s representative in Mexico, Aran Mayola.
Next steps
After signing the memorandum, Salvador Illa continued his official visit to Mexico. On Monday, he inaugurated Barcelona’s pavilion at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, where Catalonia showcased its cultural and scientific achievements. In the coming days, further meetings with business and education representatives are planned to discuss details of future joint projects.
