regionen nemen het heft in eigen hand bij europese transitie
Bilbao, woensdag, 11 februari 2026.
Twaalf Europese regio’s hebben tijdens de Leaders Meeting in Bilbao duidelijk gemaakt dat ze centrale spelers zijn in de groene en digitale transitie. Ze eisen een grotere rol in Europees beleid, met name op het vlak van innovatie en duurzame ontwikkeling. De bijeenkomst legde de nadruk op schone technologie, AI en quantumcomputing, naast biotechnologie. Een bezoek aan de IBM Quantum System Two in Bilbao onderstreepte hoe snel quantumtechnologie vordert. De regio’s roepen de EU op tot nauwere samenwerking, omdat zij dicht bij bedrijven en burgers staan. De gevolgen van de coronacrisis tonen aan dat sterke regionale ecosystemen cruciaal zijn. De vastgestelde trends wijzen op een verschuiving van macht naar onderkant van de ladder.
regions take center stage in european transition
Twelve regional governments convened in Bilbao on February 9–10, 2026, during the second ‘Leaders Meeting – Fit for the Future’ to assert their pivotal role in Europe’s green and digital transitions [1]. Representing industrial powerhouses such as Flanders, Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg, and the Basque Country, these subnational authorities emphasized their proximity to businesses and citizens as a strategic advantage [1][3]. They collectively called for deeper integration into EU policymaking processes, particularly regarding industrial modernization and innovation governance [1][3].
focus on key enabling technologies
Discussions centered on three strategic domains: clean technology, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and health industries [2][3]. Regional leaders highlighted the need to accelerate innovation in these fields to boost European sovereignty amid global instability and climate risks [3]. A guided tour of the IBM Quantum System Two at BasQ served as a tangible demonstration of rapid advancements in quantum infrastructure [2]. This hands-on experience reinforced the urgency for coordinated investment across European regions [2][4].
bilbao declaration demands structural change
Participants endorsed the Bilbao Declaration 2026, urging the European Union to formally recognize regions as co-shapers of industrial, digital, and innovation strategies [3]. The document stresses that effective policy delivery requires acknowledging territorial diversity and empowering local execution capacities [3]. Concerns were voiced about centralizing tendencies in the draft EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, which could undermine cohesion if competitiveness funding bypasses regional channels [3]. Innovation ecosystems thrive best through decentralized implementation.
private sector voices integrated into policy
For the first time, approximately forty European industry clusters contributed directly to the summit’s political outcome [3]. These groups represented sectors including cleantech, AI, quantum, and biohealth, providing frontline insights into regulatory barriers and scaling challenges [3]. Their recommendations were formally embedded in the final declaration, marking a shift toward more inclusive governance models [3]. Entities such as VITO, Quantum Circle, BioVia, and IBM participated in thematic dialogues, bridging public policy and technological development [1][2][4].
building resilience through regional strength
The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in centralized supply chains, reinforcing the necessity of robust regional ecosystems in biotechnology and healthcare production [1]. Regional leaders argue that localized innovation pipelines—from research institutions to manufacturing—enhance both security and efficiency [1][3]. By combining resources across borders, such as between Flanders and the Basque Country, regions aim to create resilient networks capable of responding swiftly to crises [4]. Strategic autonomy begins locally, the meeting concluded.