Canary Islands Leaders and Consuls Meet to Boost Economic Diversification and Resilience

Consular officials and leaders from the western Canary Islands met recently at Club Oliver in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to strengthen their working relationship. The forum brought together around twenty consular representatives and the heads of the island councils (cabildos) from Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro to discuss how to better navigate today’s uncertain global climate.

This meeting comes at a critical time for the islands, which are currently facing challenges like volatile energy markets and global supply chain disruptions. Led by the dean of the consular corps and Dutch Consul, Stanley Weytjens, the group explored how to attract new investment and raise the islands' international profile. The session, moderated by Finnish Consul Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo, emphasized that the islands must move beyond their reputation as purely tourist destinations and instead position themselves as centers for science and technology.

The discussion also addressed the ongoing recovery from the 2021 volcanic eruption on La Palma. Leaders, including Tenerife’s Rosa Dávila and La Palma’s Sergio Rodríguez, alongside representatives from El Hierro and La Gomera, focused on risk management, reconstruction, and the need for a more balanced approach to development. There was a clear consensus that sustainability must be at the heart of all future growth, from improving transport to supporting rural communities.

Ultimately, the meeting highlighted the islands' shared priorities: diversifying the economy and improving connectivity to remain competitive. The participants viewed the event as a success and expressed a desire to make this dialogue a permanent fixture, turning diplomatic cooperation into a practical tool for economic growth and long-term resilience.