Íñigo de la Serna

Iñigo de la Serna is an experienced Spanish politician who served as Minister of Transport and Public Works from November 2016 to June 2018. Prior to that, he had earnt his way up in politics as he served as Mayor of Santander since June 2007 and was an appointed member of several international bodies and organizations. He managed to merge his professional expertise as Civil Engineer with public service, thus focusing on the improvement of Spanish infrastructures.

As a speaker, he shares his expertise on cities and innovation. Combining his career in politics and his deep knowledge as Civil Engineer, in his conferences he addresses subjects of paramount importance when it comes to regional development, especially focusing on smart cities. In his talks, he promotes the use of infrastructure and technology to raise living standards.

Iñigo was Mayor of Santander for two terms, an experience that made him grow closer to cities and their key relevance in the development of countries and regions. Adding to this, he held the Presidency of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) from 2012 to 2015. Eager to promote further cooperation between the private and the public sector in the development of sustainable, modern cities, he founded the Spanish Network of Smart Cities, where he held the Presidency for four years.

On an international level, he held the Presidency of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and has been a member of several international organizations. During two legislatures he has been Councilor for the Environment, Water and Beaches, and Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Environment and Territory Planning of the Government of Cantabria. He was a deputy of the Parliament of Cantabria in two legislatures.

Prior to his career in politics, he worked in the private sector, where he was appointed head of the department of hydraulics at the engineering consulting company APIA XXI. He is a Civil Engineer from the University of Cantabria.

Conference topics:
- Smart cities
- Infrastructure and technology