The API Strengthens Ties with Spain

At the invitation of the President of the Institute of Engineering of Spain (IIE), María Cruz Díaz Álvarez, the President of the Pan-American Academy of Engineering (API), José Domingo Pérez Muñiz, met in Madrid with the presidents of the professional associations grouped within the Institute, Javier Pérez de Vargas Cabrero, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain (RAI), the President and former President of the Mexican Academy of Engineering, Guillermo Aguirre and Alberto Lepe, respectively, and Aridaí Herrera, representing FEMOI.

During the meeting, engineer Pérez Muñiz presented the IIE with a bound copy of the Jubilee Declaration of the Pan-American Academy of Engineering, held in Panama. In his address to his Spanish colleagues, Mr. Pérez Muñiz outlined the Academy's vision for engineering education and development aimed at mitigating damage from natural disasters, designing and building resilient structures, and alleviating the impact of climate change by leveraging the power and potential of artificial intelligence.

Regarding the Declaration, adopted in Panama during the Academy's Jubilee celebration, the API president highlighted how climate change affects the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters and their consequences: the loss of human life, flora, and fauna; the destruction of ecosystems and human livelihoods; and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. He further emphasized how this impact falls most heavily on the most vulnerable populations, marginalized communities, small islands, and developing countries.  

In a message of global significance, Mr. Pérez Muñiz stated: “When we talk about sustainability and resilience, we are not just talking about engineering; we are talking about the well-being of humanity, and this responsibility cannot be exercised in isolation. Climate, technological, and social challenges do not recognize borders and require cooperation between countries, universities, academies, professional organizations, governments, and civil society.”

To illustrate his remarks, the API president referred to the wildfires that affected Madrid during the summer and their impact on surrounding communities. “The fires did not stop when they reached the boundary between one community and another; they did not recognize borders. Therefore, addressing them required the collaboration of various authorities and governments, as well as civil society.”

Engineer Díaz Álvarez addressed the attention the IIE gives to the development of engineering in Spain and how it aligns with that of the API. Specifically, she elaborated on the initiatives developed in recent years, which are documented in the Activity Report, a copy of the most recent edition of which she presented to the President of the Academy.

The API president highlighted and expressed gratitude for the contributions of distinguished Spanish academics María Jesús Prieto Laffargue (API), former president of FEMOI, and Fernando Rodríguez López (API), president of the AIIA, as well as the always-remembered José Medem San Juan (API) and José Jabier Diez (API).