Mexico City, Barcelona Seal MoU for Joint STEM Innovation

The Government of Mexico City and the Barcelona City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a bilateral cooperation framework. Signed on Dec. 4, 2025, the framework will enable the cities to execute joint projects in science, technology, education, and urban innovation across eight strategic areas.

This instrument formalizes a mechanism to operationalize knowledge exchange between the two metropolises. It integrates universities, research centers, and the productive sector to address urban challenges through technical cooperation. The agreement aims to strengthen endogenous capacities and reduce external technological dependencies by leveraging the infrastructure of both cities.

"This agreement not only consolidates the relationship between governments, but also among universities, research centers, and the entire constellation of knowledge and transformation capacity that accompanies us. Science and culture must be oriented towards the common good, towards the reduction of inequalities, and the empowerment of people," says Jaume Collboni, Mayor, Barcelona City Council.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aligns with the consultation strategy for the General Development Plan 2025–2045, which seeks to position Mexico City as a global knowledge hub. The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (SECTEI) drives this initiative, prioritizing sovereignty in technological development.

Since 2019, Mexico City has executed 214 innovation and technology projects, representing an accumulated investment of MX$384.5 million (US$21.1 million). The selection of Barcelona as a strategic partner responds to its established leadership in "educating city" models and its robust infrastructure in citizen science. The local government intends to replicate and adapt these models to enhance its academic and industrial collaboration networks.

Areas of Execution 

Pedro Moctezuma, Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, presided over the event on behalf of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. According to Moctezuma, the MoU will follow four technical axes. The first focuses on strengthening endogenous capacities to utilize the historical, university, and productive wealth of Mexico City. The objective is to generate appropriate technologies that promote social well-being. The second axis promotes an innovation model based on strategic sectors, such as the circular economy, biotechnology, robotics, digital technologies, and advanced industries, while prioritizing the articulation of traditional and contemporary knowledge.

The third axis targets high-level training with a gender perspective to increase the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The fourth axis aims to consolidate inclusive knowledge ecosystems that articulate civil society, companies, and governments to foster collaborative innovation.

Strategic Cooperation Verticals 

The agreement establishes specific technical cooperation to strengthen the ECOS Network through collaboration on R&D regarding AI, biotechnology, public health, and the circular economy. Furthermore, the parties will exchange best practices for developing public Open Science platforms, utilizing the Barcelona Citizen Science Office as a reference model. This collaboration extends to innovation and technology transfer, featuring joint initiatives focused on sustainable urban policies and the efficient management of hydraulic-environmental resources.

The cities will exchange methodologies and experiences regarding STEAM education and inclusive education for students with disabilities. To foster human capital, the MoU facilitates international stays for researchers within incubators, technological development centers, and universities. These exchanges depend on acceptance by the implicated centers and must prioritize projects with tangible social and urban impact.