Pirineu Meeting President Warns Geopolitics Reshaping Corporate Strategies

Montse Pujol, president of the Pirineu Business Meeting, warned on Friday that geopolitical tensions are exerting greater influence on corporate strategies. She delivered the message at the closing ceremony of the 37th edition, hosted over Thursday and Friday at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in La Seu d’Urgell under the theme "The new world economic map: which path do we take?"

The event drew more than 900 executives, along with around 60 accredited journalists, filling 21 hotels across Alt Urgell and Andorra. High-profile participants included Andorra’s head of government Xavier Espot, who opened the proceedings; EU High Representative Josep Borrell in dialogue with economist Isidre Sala; former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi analysing Europe’s role in the shifting geo-strategic order; and Catalan president Salvador Illa, who spoke on Friday with journalist Josep Puigbó. Business leaders such as HIPRA’s Mar Nogareda, Naturhouse’s Félix Revuelta and Tendam’s Jaume Miquel joined a panel moderated by Antoni Bassas. Sessions also covered artificial intelligence, featuring Josep Maria Ganyet’s presentation and discussions with emerging Catalan and Andorran firms. New features included expanded networking spaces, such as a Thursday evening gathering and Friday night party, with an adjusted schedule starting Thursday morning and ending midday Friday.

Pujol said the discussions had fostered reflection on profound shifts in the global economy, offering tools to address rising complexity. The central theme remained open-ended, but expert input had widened perspectives on key challenges. "After what we've heard these days, I feel the question is still open, but we've also learned how complex the world is," she noted.

She stressed geopolitics' expanding reach into business, driven by international conflicts, trade frictions and evolving global links. "Geopolitics is entering our businesses more and more, so it's vital to understand what's happening in the world," Pujol added.

AI emerged as a key focus, with Pujol emphasising human oversight. "We've talked about AI these past days, but we've also said there are people behind it," she observed, noting that judgment, choices and mindset stay fundamentally human despite technological advances.

Pujol called for vigilance against inertia in fast-changing times, sending attendees away with sharper questions to implement back at work. "We've learned and debated for a few days, but now it's over. On Monday, everyone returns to action—that's where these reflections will matter," she concluded.

The summit urged leaders to convert collective insights on geopolitical, tech and economic pressures into practical gains.