Basque Minister for Science, Universities and Innovation, ‘Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias’, introduced the Basque Quantum strategy during the “LEADERS MEETING – FIT FOR THE FUTURE” event held in Donostia / San Sebastián, opening new pathways for interregional cooperation in advanced technologies.
Delegations from 14 industrially dynamic European regions convened at the Ikerbasque building to explore joint innovation roadmaps. The participating territories included Flanders, Wallonie, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, Navarra, Upper Austria, Catalunya, Lombardia, Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, West Pomerania, Emilia-Romagna, Auvergne Rhone Alpes, and the Basque Country itself.
During his presentation, Minister Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias outlined the Basque Government’s renewed science and innovation policy, emphasizing ten specialization areas — with quantum technologies as a central focus through the Basque Quantum (BasQ) project. The initiative aims to position the Basque Country as a European benchmark in quantum science, driving both research and industrial transformation.
Pérez Iglesias explained that BasQ operates along two complementary lines. The first provides the research community — and soon the business sector — with access to IBM’s Quantum System Two. The second develops quantum chips based on silicon through collaboration with Quantum Motion. These efforts, he stressed, are designed to make a “significant contribution from the Basque Country to Europe’s long-sought technological sovereignty.”
The minister also emphasized the central role of interregional alliances. “Collaboration lies at the heart of the BasQ strategy,” Pérez Iglesias said, extending a “clear and firm invitation” to European partners to join the project. He also reflected on the current global uncertainty, describing this era as both turbulent and full of “opportunities for those regions committed to disruptive innovation and technological leadership.”
Ander Caballero, Secretary General for External Action and ‘Euskadi Globala’, placed the meeting within the broader European context, noting that “technological capability has become a strategic asset.” Caballero highlighted the importance of regional involvement in shaping Europe’s strategic autonomy through public-private partnerships and stressed Euskadi’s commitment to strengthening industrial competitiveness and innovation at the European level.
From the private sector, Mikel Díez, Director of Quantum Computing at IBM Spain, underscored the transformative potential of BasQ, describing it as “an opportunity to lead the development and application of quantum technologies globally.” Díez noted that BasQ and IBM are already taking major steps toward practical quantum computing, advancing its transfer to industry and society.
Adolfo Morais, Deputy Minister for Science and Innovation, concluded that “the quantum field is moving fast, with real scientific impact already visible and growing industrial implications.” He added that the so-called “quantum advantage” is no longer theoretical but an emerging reality. The event forms part of the Leaders Meeting – Fit for the Future agenda, a forum bringing together regions with strong industrial capacity to address shared challenges in competitiveness and innovation.
