Clavijo urges councils, municipalities, universities and civil society to “define together the Canary Islands we want.”

In his view, it is essential to reach a consensus “among all” on coherent solutions that guarantee balanced, sustainable and fair development of the archipelago.

A Call for a Shared Strategy

During the opening ceremony of the I Demographic Challenge Congress in Gáldar (Gran Canaria), Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, invited public institutions, universities and civil society to agree on a common strategy that would “define together the Canary Islands we want.”

Clavijo explained that the stark contrast between over‑populated areas and those losing inhabitants is reflected in services, mobility, housing and the age structure of the population, forcing the search for differentiated solutions.

“The Demographic Challenge means thinking and deciding how many residents the Canary Islands can accommodate, how many tourists should arrive, what infrastructure we need and how to manage mobility,” he said, stressing that the congress was a key moment to advance these questions with expert support.

He also highlighted the urgent need to revive depopulated rural zones, which account for more than one‑third of the Canary territory, hold the islands’ cultivable land and act as guardians of “our natural and cultural heritage, our roots.”

“The 47 Canary municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants are the soul of the Canary Islands and we must protect them,” Clavijo added, noting that the regional government has already approved a Sustainable Rural Development Plan, launched a Virtual Office for the Demographic Challenge, and is working on reforms to the Land Law and a future Demographic Challenge Law.

I Demographic Challenge Congress

The opening session also featured representatives of local governments, aligning with the Canary Government’s strategy to reach consensus on sustainability policies.

Key participants included:

• Manuel Miranda, Minister of Territorial Policy
• Narvay Quintero, Minister of Agriculture
• Casimiro Curbelo, President of the Parliamentary Commission for the Study of the Demographic Challenge
• Mari Brito, President of the Canary Islands Federation of Municipalities (FECAM)
• Teordoro Sosa, Mayor of the northern municipality of Gran Canaria
• The President of the Cabildo of La Gomera, who stressed the need for medium‑ and long‑term planning.

Highlights from the Speakers

• Cabildo of La Gomera: “The goal should be that each island and each municipality develop its own demographic culture, with policies adapted to its reality, to address both depopulation and population growth.”

• Casimiro Curbelo: Emphasized that the future lies in fostering coordination and institutional cooperation, together with civil society, to agree on legislative and fiscal measures that support rural areas.

• Mari Brito (FECAM): Pointed out the momentum gained this year in tackling the Demographic Challenge through a dialogue‑driven search for solutions, where mayors have been actively involved.

  “We are convinced that only by including the local perspective can we offer effective responses to the diverse realities that shape our archipelago.”
  She also called for the countryside to regain its sovereignty and for municipalities to receive sufficient resources.

• Mayor of Gáldar: Opened his remarks by stating that demographic development is one of the most important challenges facing our land in the coming years. He thanked the authorities, experts, and the President for their courage in confronting a debate that has been discussed for years but never truly faced.

• Teordoro Sosa: Advocated for unity, shared dialogue, openness to civil‑society messages, and discussion to achieve a territory where “we all contribute together to walk this path hand in hand.”