Andorran Day Explores Neutrality with 30 Talks Amid Global Tensions

The 39th Andorran Day, organised by the Andorran Society of Sciences (SAC), will feature around 30 presentations examining Andorra's neutrality amid ongoing global geopolitical conflicts.

Scheduled for 22 August at Lycée Charles Renouvier in Prada de Conflent as part of the Catalan Summer University programme, the event includes 21 in-person talks and eight written submissions, to be compiled into a book published in 2027. Contributors from politics, academia, diplomacy, business, media, history, economics and journalism will address the challenges for small states like Andorra.

SAC president Àngels Mach, speaking at the launch on Tuesday at the Casa dels Guardes del Camí Hidroelèctric d'Engolasters, stressed the sensitivity of upholding neutrality to safeguard sovereignty. She noted that foreign policy choices by a small nation can lead to hard-to-reverse outcomes, particularly with neighbours.

Confirmed speakers include Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, former ministers Juli Minoves—now University of Andorra rector—and Meritxell Mateu, ex-head of government Jaume Bartumeu alongside Progressistes-SDP leader Josep Roig, General Councillors Cerni Escalé (Concòrdia), Laia Moliné (PS) and Berna Coma, Andorra Telecom director Jordi Nadal, Brussels ambassador Vicenç Mateu, former episcopal co-prince secretary Joan Massa, and journalists Iago Andreu, Bru Noya and Gabriel Fernández.

The programme starts at 9am, adopting a full-day Saturday format. The launch also presented the book Andorra i l'habitatge, drawing from last year's housing-themed edition with inputs from consuls, general councillors, ex-State Secretary Jordi Puy and various civil society and business representatives.

FEDA director general Sílvia Calvó reaffirmed her organisation's backing with the government, while highlighting a new step to measure the publication's carbon footprint. SAC coordinator Marta Fonolleda joined the event.