Santander Port Week Explores "Ports Committed to Their Cities" in Collaboration with RETE

Santander’s 2024 Port Week, organized by the International Menéndez Pelayo University (UIMP), Puertos del Estado, and the Santander Port Authority, is dedicating its second day to the theme “Ports Committed to Their Cities.” Held at the Palacio de la Magdalena, this event fosters dialogue between key stakeholders involved in the port-city relationship. The forum, led by Teófila Martínez, president of RETE (Association for Collaboration between Ports and Cities), aims to enhance cooperation and promote sustainable development.

The event, taking place from September 3 to 6, focuses on the challenges and opportunities for the port sector looking ahead to 2030. Experts and industry leaders are discussing pivotal topics such as digital transformation, sustainability, and energy efficiency in ports, all within the strategic framework of the Spanish Port System.

Structured into four thematic days, the 2024 Port Week addresses crucial aspects of port development and modernization. Today’s session, titled “Ports Committed to Their Cities,” emphasizes the importance of collaboration between ports and urban areas to achieve shared goals in sustainability and competitiveness. Municipal and port authorities from Málaga, Cádiz, and Santander are participating, highlighting the “Permanent Port-City Forum” as a vital platform for ongoing dialogue and cooperation.

The day’s program is divided into two segments. The first, titled “Sharing Horizons,” is led by Raquel Boy Prieto, Secretary General of RETE and Head of Communication and Institutional Relations at the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz. It features insights from prominent figures such as Francisco Manuel de la Torre Prados, Mayor of Málaga; Carlos Rubio Basabe, President of the Málaga Port Authority; Bruno García de León, Mayor of Cádiz; Teófila Martínez Saiz, President of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz and RETE; Gema Igual Ortiz, Mayor of Santander; and César Díaz Maza, President of the Santander Port Authority.

The second segment, “Building Commitments and Strengthening Port-City Alliances,” moderated by Francisco Javier Álvarez García of the Santander Port Authority, will include a presentation on the “Permanent Port-City Forum” by Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado. This will be followed by an open discussion, encouraging dynamic dialogue on best practices for port-city integration.

Teófila Martínez emphasized the importance of this forum, stating, “Ports and cities must work together to achieve shared objectives like sustainability and global competitiveness. We face challenges such as mobility, energy efficiency, and urban preservation. Overcoming these requires close collaboration and a unified strategy.” She highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue, as these integration processes are long-term and evolving, citing examples from Santander, Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga.

Martínez also expressed special gratitude to the Santander Port Authority for dedicating a full day of Port Week to the port-city integration theme. “It is crucial to continue raising awareness about the symbiotic relationship between ports and cities. I sincerely thank the Santander Port Authority for their commitment and leadership in organizing this session. Santander has been a pioneer in reclaiming public spaces, with over 75,000 square meters rehabilitated in recent years, showcasing the positive impact of public-private collaboration on the quality of life in our port cities.”

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
Puertos comprometidos con sus ciudades
César Díaz; Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena; Gema Igual; Teófila Martínez Autoridad Portuaria de Santander; Francisco Manuel de la Torre Prados; Carlos Rubio Basabe; Bruno Garcia de León; Teófila Martínez
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

4/9/24 SANTANDER uimp
FOTO: Juanma Serrano

Santander Port Week Explores “Ports Committed to Their Cities” in Collaboration with RETE