The EuroAmericas Forum 2024 – which gathered over 400 individuals from more than 40 different nationalities on December 17th and 18th – brought together various members of the Portuguese government, European and American policymakers, entrepreneurs, and members of the academic, scientific, cultural, and sports communities, as well as representatives from high-level global organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), among others.

The first edition of this forum focused on the theme “Building the Future Across the Atlantic: A Forum for Europe and the Americas,” with the overarching goal of strengthening the connection between both continents and ensuring that the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the Americas remains a critical axis on the global stage, influencing political, economic, and cultural dynamics worldwide.

The “Geopolitics: Strategic Alliances in a Changing World – Trade, Technology, and Diplomacy Across the Atlantic” panel marked the first major meeting between Europe and the Americas after the recent US elections. In this decisive moment for the future, several experts participated in the discussion, with key interventions by João Vale de Almeida, former EU Ambassador to the USA, the UK, and the United Nations, and Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States.

Moderated by João Pedro Taborda, Vice-President for Government Affairs at Embraer in Europe, the panel featured Elena Lazarou, Associate Fellow at Chatham House’s US & Americas Programme and Senior Researcher for Transatlantic Relations at ELIAMEP; Ricardo Borges de Castro, Visiting Academic at the College of Europe; and Rita Faden, Senior Technical Advisor at the Permanent Delegation of Portugal to the OECD.

The “Health 2030: The Future of Health Across the Atlantic” panel marked the debut of the EuroAmericas Forum with an engaging debate on Artificial Intelligence and healthcare collaboration, particularly in areas such as data sharing, which are strategically important for strengthening cooperation between Europe and the Americas.

The panel, opened by Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation of Portugal, was followed by a discussion moderated by Sílvia Curado, Director of Research at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine and President of the Portuguese American Post Graduate Society. The debate included contributions from George Perry, Professor of Neuroscience and Chemistry at the University of Texas; Joanne M. Hackett, Vice President of Health Systems Services at IQVIA UK; João Carapeto, Director at Roche Diagnostics Mexico; and Ricardo Mexia, Public Health Doctor and Epidemiologist at the National Association of Public Health Doctors.

Recognizing the crucial role that culture and sports play in international diplomacy by bringing countries together through global events, the session “Culture & Sports: Uniting Nations, Inspiring People” discussed initiatives in both fields within the framework of transatlantic cooperation. The focus was on the importance of diversity, social inclusion, and how, in a world with various signs of conflict, these two sectors can ensure a better future for all.

Moderated by Diana Ramos, Editor at Jornal de Negócios, the panel featured António Feijó, President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Diana Gomes Pedras, President of the Portuguese Olympic Athletes Commission; Luís Tinoco, Composer and Recipient of the 2024 Pessoa Prize; and Rahim Lakhani, President and CEO of TLG Global.

Randi Charno Levine, U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, and Élise Racicot, Canadian Ambassador to Portugal, spoke at the opening of the “Investment & Internationalization: Future Trends in Europe-Americas Economic Relations” panel, which focused on future trends and potential areas of cooperation that could shape the economic relations between Europe and the Americas in the coming decades.

Moderated by Renata Ramalhosa, CEO of Beta-i-Brasil, the panel included Alfonso García Mora, Regional President of the IFC for Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean; José Manuel Dias da Fonseca, CEO of MDS Group; Pedro Monteiro Coelho, Executive Director of Marketing and Institutional Communication at BPI; and Nuno Rangel, CEO of Rangel Logistics Solutions.

The “Transatlantic Energy – Cooperation for a Sustainable, Secure, and Accessible Future” panel emphasized the importance of discussing the strengthening of cooperation and the integration of North, Central, and South American countries in strategic initiatives such as transnational green agreements, research and development collaboration, policy harmonization, public-private partnerships, and regional leadership and diplomacy.

The debate was launched by António Costa e Silva, former Minister of Economy and the Sea, and moderated by João Graça Gomes, member of the Global Future Energy Leaders Board of the World Energy Council. Panelists included João Torres, President of the Portuguese Energy Association; Joaquim Coelho, Project and Development Director at CJR Renewables; and Octávio Simões, CEO of Tellurian Inc.

The opening speech at the “The Future of Agribusiness & Fisheries: Euro-American Partnerships and Innovations” session was given by José Manuel Fernandes, Portuguese Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. The discussion, moderated by Viviana Silva, Director of the Digital Production Program at DSM-Firmenich, featured Filipe Rosa, Co-Founder of Veracruz Almonds; Filipe Neves dos Santos, Founder and Director of TRIBE LAB – Robotics and IoT Lab for Agriculture and Forestry; Mari Granström, CEO of Origin by Ocean; and Rim Tehraoui, Founder and Executive Director of Aryam Adaptive & Regenerative Solutions.

On the sidelines of the “Sister Cities: Diplomacy and Development” panel, the first EuroAmericas Forum was also marked by the signing of Sister City and Friendship Agreements.

The Municipality of Cascais and the City of Contagem, Brazil, sealed a partnership aimed at fostering cooperation between the two cities in areas such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability. The agreement’s main objectives include the exchange of knowledge and best practices in institutional mediation for economic development, strengthening business interactions between the two municipalities, academic exchange, and adopting measures for decarbonization and energy transition.

The forum also witnessed the signing of a Friendship Agreement between the cities of Lagos, Portugal, and Niagara Falls, Canada, initiating a collaboration process that can serve as a strong lever for strategic partnerships in the social, economic, cultural, environmental, and institutional sectors, promoting mutual development between the territories.

The EuroAmericas 2024, an event presided over by José Manuel Durão Barroso, positioned Portugal as a hub for international contact and collaboration between Europe and the Americas, both public and private.

Notable attendees included Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal; Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs; Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais; António Calçada de Sá, President of the Board of the Portuguese Diaspora Council; and Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, attended the closing ceremony of the first day of the event.