<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, will receive the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation this Friday, October 24, for his role in "defending European integration."</strong></h4> The King and Queen, accompanied by the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía, will preside over the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo. This year's recipients are: - The 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities goes to the German thinker of South Korean origin, Byung-Chul Han, "for his brilliance in interpreting the challenges of a technological society." "His work reveals an extraordinary capacity to communicate new ideas precisely and directly, drawing on philosophical traditions from both East and West," the organizers state. - 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Literature to Eduardo Mendoza for "his decisive contribution to Spanish-language literature of the last half-century, with a collection of novels that combine a desire for innovation with the ability to reach a very wide audience, and which enjoy widespread international recognition." - 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences to American sociologist and demographer Douglas Massey. Based on the conception of humankind as "a migratory species" and through a distinguished research career, "Douglas Massey has made fundamental contributions to the understanding of international migration and its consequences for urban segregation and social stratification, processes accentuated by globalizing dynamics." - 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts to Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide. “Possessing an innovative vision and endowed with extraordinary artistic depth, Iturbide's lens has portrayed human nature through photographs charged with symbolism, creating a world of its own: from the primitive to the contemporary; from the harshness of social reality to the spontaneous magic of the moment.” - 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports to American tennis player Serena Williams. “Considered one of the greatest tennis players in history with an unquestionable track record, she has achieved 73 individual titles, including 23 Grand Slams and four Olympic gold medals.” - 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Concord to the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico. “Conceived as a space for reflection on the indigenous heritage of the Mexican nation, it is considered one of the most important museums in Latin America and a global benchmark in the study of humanity, due to its commitment to the dissemination, research, and preservation of cultural heritage.” - The 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research to American geneticist Mary-Claire King, author of "pioneering contributions to the application of genetics to the study and prevention of cancer, interspecies similarity, and the defense of human rights." - The 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation to Italian economist and politician Mario Draghi, "for being a key figure in the defense of European integration and international cooperation, widely recognized for his leadership and firm commitment to the fundamental values and progress of the European Union." The jury recognized that, "throughout his extensive career spanning more than four decades, Draghi has promoted multilateralism, cooperation between Member States, and the institutional and economic strengthening of the Union, as well as its role on the global stage." “A symbol of a united, free, strong, and united Europe,” the text continues, Draghi “has championed, with independence and long-term vision, growth and improved competitiveness, focused on three transformations: innovation, decarbonization, and economic security, appealing to common policies on health, energy transition, and digitalization.” <h5><strong>Mario Draghi</strong></h5> Mario Draghi, born in Rome, Italy, on September 3, 1947, was appointed Executive Director of the World Bank in 1985, a position he held until 1990. Between 1991 and 2001, he served as Director General of the Italian Treasury during ten administrations of different ideologies. He later joined Goldman Sachs, where he served as Vice President for Europe. In 2005, he was appointed Governor of the Bank of Italy and in 2011, he assumed the presidency of the European Central Bank (ECB), a position he held until 2019. In February 2021, after a period of instability in Italian politics, he was tasked by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Matarella, with forming a new government and was sworn in as President of the Council of Ministers, a position he resigned from in October 2022. "Throughout his career as an economist and statesman, Mario Draghi has been considered a key figure in the defense of European integration and international cooperation," the Princess of Asturias Foundation said in a statement. "Described by some as 'the savior of the euro,' his work as President of the ECB was widely recognized for his firm commitment to the stability of the single currency and to the fundamental values of the European Union," it continued. “During the sovereign debt crisis that began in 2008, his declaration that the ECB would do ‘whatever it takes’ to preserve the single currency was a milestone that restored market confidence and strengthened the cohesion of the European project,” the Foundation emphasized. “The so-called Draghi Plan, launched in 2015 and maintained until 2018, sought to reduce inflation to the 2% level set by the ECB and sustain economic growth in EU countries through the purchase of public and private assets,” it recalled. “Although this plan was criticized for its effectiveness and its potential negative effects on the financial system, many experts have emphasized that it was a fundamental tool for saving the European economy during one of the most serious crises in recent decades,” it added. Subsequently, as Prime Minister of Italy, Draghi led a national unity government with a technical focus, supported by parliamentary forces of diverse ideologies, focused on implementing structural reforms and effectively managing the funds from the Next Generation EU recovery program. “In that role, he promoted multilateralism, cooperation between EU Member States, and the strengthening of Europe's role on the global stage, championing common policies in health, energy transition, and digitalization,” the press release continues. “Recognized for his independence and long-term vision, Draghi has persistently advocated for a more united, resilient, and supportive Europe,” the Foundation noted. “Internationally, he has maintained close ties with the world's leading democracies, helping to align Europe's response to challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts,” it added. In 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked Draghi with preparing a report on Europe's competitiveness, “underlining his continued commitment to strengthening the continent's institutions and economies.” The report, presented in 2024, emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Union's ties and developing a common strategy for growth and improving competitiveness, focused on three transformations: innovation, decarbonization, and economic security. A Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Mario Draghi has received numerous awards, including the Grand Collar of the Order of Infante Don Enrique of Portugal, the Federal Cross of Merit of the Republic of Germany, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Ukraine, the Atlantic Council's Global Citizen Award (USA, 2015), the Carlos V European Prize (Spain, 2024), and the PoliTO Foresight and Innovation Award (Italy, 2025), among others.
