Once again this year it is my great pleasure to take stock of the initiatives led by the abertis foundation throughout 2013. I would like to start by highlighting the naming of Castellet Castle, our foundation’s headquarters, as the UNESCO Centre for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves. This is a particularly exciting accomplishment for us as it recognises and rewards 14 years of hard work dedicated to the environment, supporting research, promoting scientific symposia and publishing works related to sustainability.

As always, road safety has been one of the most important aspects of the foundation’s activity. The You’ve got one life left initiative has gone a step further with an awareness campaign aimed at young people in nightlife destinations in Madrid and Barcelona. Meanwhile the Road Assistantproject, in which young people with Down’s syndrome observe the behaviour of drivers and pedestrians around schools, has been carried out for the third year running in Barcelona and for the first time in Madrid. The Road Safety Programme initiatives have also reached Brazil and Chile.

The abertis Corporate Volunteer Day reached its fifth year and was the most international to date. Voluntaris representatives from Spain, France, Argentina, Chile and Puerto Rico took part in the official ceremony, held at our headquarters in Barcelona. On this occasion, the debate revolved around the rise in poverty. This problem area has been at the core of all the abertis foundation social action initiatives focused on helping the most underprivileged and on supporting training activities to help overcome the current economic situation.

Given its historical value, the revitalisation of the El Mèdol Roman quarry is perhaps the most noteworthy cultural accomplishment. The monument forms part of the Tarragona World Heritage Site and is situated alongside the AP-7 toll road. Worthy of special mention are the sponsorships of the Salvador Dalí retrospective (Paris and Madrid) and of the exhibition on multi-faceted artist Antoni Tàpies (Barcelona), along with support for Courses on the Prado Museum in different Spanish cities.

Lastly, I should like to acknowledge the new abertis foundation Board of Trustees, a team of individuals highly motivated in projecting abertis corporate responsibility in all areas where our Group operates.

Salvador Alemany
Chairman of abertis and of the abertis foundation