Felipe VI calls for unity in the face of political divisions in Ibero-America

King Felipe VI emphasized the importance of unity in Ibero-America during the inauguration of the XXX Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, addressing political divisions and international tensions. He called for dialogue and cooperation among the 22 member countries to face global challenges. The summit saw a lower-than-expected attendance of leaders, with notable absences from key figures like Lula da Silva and Claudia Sheinbaum. Javier Milei, the newly elected Argentine president, did not attend the opening events, opting instead for a meeting with Santiago Abascal. The summit occurs amid rising political polarization and skepticism towards multilateralism, with the Spanish government aiming to revitalize the significance of these gatherings. The day concluded with a gala dinner at the Royal Palace, where Felipe VI highlighted the need for collaboration to improve citizens' lives.