The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, together with His Majesty the King, closed the 2026 Conference of Ambassadors, which over two days provided an opportunity to reflect on the priorities of our foreign policy in 2026, which will see important milestones such as the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid and the International Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy.
Under the slogan ‘Spain, a global player’, ambassadors have reinforced our diplomacy's commitment to strengthening our country's leadership role on the international stage, where we maintain a voice and an identity of our own. The recent signing of the agreement with Mercosur, the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and the situation in Venezuela were the focus of two days of debates.
“These two days of the Conference have allowed us to reflect and debate on the pillars on which our foreign policy is built. This year's slogan, ‘Spain, a global player’, responds to our country's commitment to exercising a leadership role on the international stage”, said the minister in his speech.
The minister defended a world based on rules and respect for international law as opposed to the law of the jungle. "Having a voice and an identity of our own means moving away from blindly following others. It requires standing firm in the defence of our values and interests. Having a voice and an identity of our own means acting with respect and loyalty towards international institutions and our partners and allies, but deciding and defending our decisions with sovereignty and autonomy", he concluded.
Defence of multilateralism
In his closing remarks, Felipe VI assured that this is, more than any other, “the time of diplomats”, and encouraged them to continue their work: "Spanish diplomats have a reputation based on listening, in-depth knowledge and the ability to build consensus; a reputation that I often hear from authorities and other interlocutors abroad. You are needed, first and foremost, in the defence of multilateralism. There is no better way to defend multilateralism than through consistency and effectiveness", said the monarch.
In his speech at the opening of the Conference, the Prime Minister also stated that, in an increasingly multipolar world, “Spain is committed to sensible internationalism. To foreign policy that, without renouncing who we are, aspires to build new alliances and strengthen ties with other regions and countries”.
He added: “In a world where values are faltering, our country advocates being at the centre of a moral rearmament. As a matter of principle. For dignity. And because, ultimately, there is no better defence of our national interest than building a better world. By being an example of global citizenship and a benchmark for the international community”.
Two days of debates
Over the course of these two days, 126 ambassadors participated, representing virtually the entire Spanish diplomatic corps accredited abroad. In addition, the plenary sessions were attended by Nigeria's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, as a guest, and Spain's Ministers of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska; of Defence, Margarita Robles; and of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo.
A plaque was also unveiled at the conference in recognition of the work of the organisation Women for Afghanistan. Its president, Fawzia Kooki, took the opportunity to address the audience, thanking Spain for its support and leadership in the fight to restore the rights of Afghan girls and women.
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here.
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