International

Durão Barroso will address Geopolitics at the Spain Real Estate Summit 2025

Durão Barroso will address Geopolitics at the Spain Real Estate Summit 2025
Durão Barroso, former President of the European Commission

The Spain Real Estate Summit is set to return to La Finca UZalacaín in Madrid on May 6th and 7th, 2025, bringing together over 350 global leaders and investors to discuss Spain’s position as a premier investment destination and the opportunities shaping the future of its real estate market. Organized by Iberian Property in collaboration with CBRE and JLL, the Summit is a key platform for industry stakeholders to analyze economic trends, market cycles, and the strategic priorities driving growth in this dynamic sector.

Following the keynote session by Blackstone Head of Real Estate Europe, Mr. James Seppala, a “Financier’s View of Real Estate”, the first day of the event will also provide insights on the current world balance, hosting for the effect a keynote session by José Manuel Durão Barroso, Prime Minister of Portugal (2002/2004) and President of the European Commission for two terms (2004/2009 and 2009/2014).

Mr. Durão Barroso will share his perspective on the geopolitical and social challenges at stake, going beyond the traditional occidental view to fully understand what is going on with the world. The session will be introduced and moderated by Enrique LosantosHead of Capital Markets Southern Europe and CEO in Spain of JLL.

In the latter roles, and among many other areas, Durão Barroso played a special leading role in the integration of the new EU member states - which between the first and last years of his mandate (2004-2014) grew from 15 to 28 countries, in the negotiations for the approval of the Lisbon Treaty and also in the launch of the so-called 2020 Climate Change and Energy Security programme, as well as in the response to the financial and sovereign debt crisis.

In his long political career, Durão Barroso held government positions for twelve years (Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Prime Minister) and also party positions, namely President of the Social Democratic Party and as leader of the Opposition, and parliamentary positions as Minister of the Foreign Affairs. In the political-diplomatic sphere, his role as mediator of the peace process for Angola (‘Bicesse Accords’) stands out, as does his support for the peace process in Mozambique and the start of the direct talks with the Indonesian government, mediated by the Secretary General of the United Nations, which led to the independence of East Timor. On behalf of the European Union he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

His academic appointments included visiting professor of Georgetown University and visiting professor at Princeton University.  He is currently a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Portugal and at the European University Institute, School of Transnational Governance, Florence. 

After being Chairman of the Board of Goldman Sachs International since 2016, he is now Chairman of International Advisors of Goldman Sachs.
He is also Chairman of the Board of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance .

The Spain Real Estate Summit 2025 will offer attendees the opportunity to engage with influential figures like Durão Barroso, whose expertise and strategic vision have shaped some of the most successful peace and treaty agreements. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Summit aims to influence the trajectory of the Spanish property market, providing insights into its future opportunities while addressing at the same time pressing global challenges beyond the real estate landscape.

Taking place in the heart of Madrid, the Summit will provide a space for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange, making it an essential event for professionals and investors in the real estate industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from industry leaders and be part of shaping the future of Spain’s real estate market. Learn more about the event HERE

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