IASP International Board of Directors meets in Málaga

The IASP International Board of Directors met from 10-12 February 2026 at the IASP World Headquarters in Malaga, Spain, bringing together leaders from across the global innovation community. 

The meeting, chaired by our International President Salvatore Majorana, provided a forum for in-depth discussion on the association’s strategic priorities, ongoing initiatives and plans for the years ahead. 

The Board is composed of 14 members from 13 countries spanning five continents: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. With extensive experience in innovation ecosystems, Board members reviewed progress and explored how the association can continue to strengthen its role within our industry. 

Reflecting on the meeting, International President Salvatore Majorana commented: “The discussions held during this Board meeting highlighted the importance of working as a coordinated global network. IASP’s strength lies in its ability to connect experience, knowledge and practice, and this meeting helped set a clear direction for how we continue to support our members in the year ahead”.

A central focus of discussions was how digitalisation, emerging technologies, and evolving innovation models are shaping our industry, as well as the focus for the association in the year to come. The Board also reviewed IASP’s international events programme, which aims to foster collaboration and engagement across regions. 

A major highlight will be the 43rd IASP World Conference, hosted by Sophia Antipolis Technology Park in Cannes, France, on 27-30 October 2026. Under the theme “Tech for humanity: Shaping values for a human-centred future”, the conference will examine how areas of innovation, innovation districts and science parks can contribute to a technologically advanced future while remaining grounded in ethics and human values. Alongside the World Conference, a series of regional division events will take place across the globe, creating further opportunities for regional dialogue and cooperation. 

The annual IASP Board meeting in Malaga marks an important milestone in the planning of our association. In the words of IASP CEO Ebba Lund, “Having the Board together in person creates a space for deeper discussions and alignment, which is essential as we move into another busy year for the association. These conversations help ensure that our work remains closely connected to our members’ needs and set the pace for the year ahead”.

During their stay, our International Board had the pleasure of being welcomed by the Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, and Deputy Mayor Innovation and Promotion Alicia Izquierdo. The gathering was an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements since IASP was founded in 1984 and established its permanent headquarters in Malaga in thirty years ago. 

This journey continues to connect innovation leaders in more than 80 countries, fostering collaboration and driving sustainable impact across cities and regions, while strengthening a truly global network.