Under the theme "Competitiveness and sustainability: Driving agents in our territory", the event made clear the premise that sustainability and economic growth go hand in hand, as stated by Mayor Maider Etxebarria.

At the forum's opening, Irantzu Allende, Vice Minister of Energy Transition for the Basque Government, outlined the institutional roadmap. Allende asserted that discussing transition in Euskadi means discussing "autonomy, security, industry, and the future", rejecting the notion that the ecological agenda is separate from industrial strength.

From an international perspective, Johan Stierna, senior scientist at the European Commission's JRC, conveyed a message of reassurance and ambition, stating that Europe will not abandon an economy that combines sustainability with competitiveness, and noting that a territory capable of generating clean and cheap energy "is more attractive for job creation".

At the urban level, the panel "Smarter, more sustainable, and healthier cities", moderated by Ibone Ametzaga (UPV/EHU), brought together Mattheus Bil (Luznor), Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa (Eroski), and Mikel Ibarra (Aclima). The transformative impact of technology was discussed, with Martínez Berriochoa highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence for business efficiency, stating that "we are moving towards a more orderly and better-managed world".

Analyzing the impact on the productive sector, Stephania Mosquera (Orkestra) led the discussion with Alexander Boto (Ihobe), Marieli Arroyo (Kutxabank), and Natalia Díaz de Arcaya (Basque Energy Agency - EVE). Díaz de Arcaya pointed out the need for Basque industries to move towards "energy autonomy to distance them from volatility and uncertainty".

On the technical side, Ramón Cerero (Iberdrola) and Fernando García (BCAM) demonstrated the importance of data science. However, it was sociologist Víctor Viñuales (Ecodes Foundation) who stirred consciences by reminding attendees that the climate crisis is a survival crisis, delivering the stark message: "There is no way to have good health on a sick planet".

Looking towards the future, young university students from the Unicities 2030 project presented proposals for Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2030. The event concluded with Ruth Brito, world champion in long-distance triathlon, who drew a parallel between endurance sports and building sustainable cities, stating: "The greatest asset of a city is its citizenry: if the people are healthy, the city will be too".