On 29 May, we held the first edition of Àgora CEEC at Hotel SB Diagonal Zero in Barcelona. The new series builds on the legacy of the CEEC Business Lunch and reinforces the cluster’s commitment to establishing a leading business forum for strategic discussions on energy, the economy and industry.

This first edition, organised with La Vanguardia as the official media partner and Redeia as sponsoring partner, featured the participation of Mr Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, in an institutional breakfast that brought together representatives from the business and institutional communities in a setting designed to foster dialogue and shared reflection.

During his address, the Minister outlined his views on the main challenges currently facing industry, including decarbonisation, the energy transition, strategic autonomy and the need to strengthen business competitiveness. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of energy as a key driver of industrial development, as well as on the importance of reindustrialisation and the adaptation of companies to an increasingly demanding global environment.

Jordi Hereu’s professional background, combining senior institutional responsibilities with direct involvement in the business and logistics sectors — having served as President of Hispasat and Idencity Consulting, as well as Mayor of Barcelona between 2006 and 2011 — provided a broad perspective on the economic and industrial challenges that lie ahead.

The session was hosted by Enric Sierra, Deputy Director of La Vanguardia, who moderated the discussion with the Minister, providing journalistic insight and context. The event also featured the participation of Ignasi Clariana, President of the CEEC, who formally opened the event and presented the objectives of this new initiative promoted by the cluster, as well as Trinidad Sala, Redeia’s North-East Regional Delegate, who delivered the closing remarks.

With the launch of Àgora CEEC, the cluster takes a further step in strengthening spaces for strategic networking and debate. This new format represents the evolution of the CEEC Business Lunch and aims to become a benchmark platform for fostering high-value discussions on the major challenges of the energy transition and industrial transformation.