The national innovation ecosystem strengthens ties with the Republic of Korea, returning as Transfiere's Guest Country
Transfiere, the European Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation, has confirmed the participation of the Republic of Korea as Guest Country, a role it previously held in 2016. The presence of the Asian country will coincide with the hosting in Málaga of the 2nd Global Innópolis Network Initiative Forum, following its debut in the city of Daejeon.
This event, focused on innovation and knowledge transfer, further consolidates its international dimension in its fifteenth edition, which will take place on 24, 25 and 26 February 2026 at FYCMA (Trade Fairs and Congress Centre of Málaga), managed by Málaga City Council.
Málaga, 14 January 2026.– Transfiere, the European Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation, has confirmed the participation of the Republic of Korea as Guest Country, a role it previously held in the 2016 edition and will once again assume for the forum's fifteenth anniversary. The event will take place on 24, 25 and 26 February 2026 at FYCMA (Málaga Trade Fairs and Congress Centre), managed by Málaga City Council.
The confirmation of Korea's participation was announced during the meeting of Transfiere's Organising Committee held today, where details of the upcoming edition were discussed. Once again, Transfiere will position itself as a major connectivity platform bringing together the research community, technology professionals, companies, universities, the investment sector and public administrations, all sharing the common goal of transforming knowledge into innovation and turning that innovation into economic and social value. Transfiere is a strategic forum that enables participants to identify emerging trends, access funding programmes, discover disruptive projects and actively engage in the dynamics that will shape scientific and technological development in the coming years.
In this context, the active participation of international delegations, European networks, EU-funded projects and multilateral organisations makes Transfiere a strategic node within the global R&D&I ecosystem, offering a unique opportunity to showcase national excellence, establish transnational collaborations and attract investment to Spain's innovation ecosystem.
Global Innópolis Network Initiative (GINI)
The presence of the Asian country will coincide with the hosting in Málaga of the 2nd Global Innópolis Network Initiative (GINI) Forum, an international gathering of leading institutions, universities and research centres in innovation. The forum debuted in 2024 in the metropolitan city of Daejeon and has selected Málaga as the host city for this year's edition. This was publicly announced by the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, and the Mayor of the South Korean city and President of GINI, Jang-Woo Lee, following an institutional meeting held in April 2025.
This international network, of which Málaga is a member, brings together leading R&D&I cities such as Daejeon, Dortmund (Germany), Quebec (Canada), and Montgomery County and Seattle (United States), with the aim of promoting science, technology and urban innovation as drivers of sustainable development and intercity cooperation.
As a result, Málaga will simultaneously host both Transfiere and GINI, reinforcing ties and creating synergies with the Republic of Korea, while positioning the city as an international hub for dialogue on innovation, science and technology, and strengthening its role as a strategic node connecting Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Fifteenth edition
This new edition follows a successful 2025 event that brought together more than 5,200 professionals from 40 countries and featured the participation of over 700 public and private entities. On its fifteenth anniversary, the forum strengthens its role as a catalyst for strategic collaborations between the public and private sectors, facilitating access to funding, knowledge exchange and the internationalisation of scientific and technological talent.
Transfiere is organised by Málaga City Council; the Regional Ministry of University, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia; and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. FYCMA is responsible for the executive management of the event. The Canary Islands are Premium Partner. Silver Partners include Madrid Emprende of Madrid City Council; Salamanca City Council and Salamanca Tech; the Community of Madrid and the madri+d Foundation for Knowledge; the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA); the Provincial Council of Málaga; the Municipal Water Company of Málaga (EMASA); Limpieza de Málaga (Limasam); and the University of Málaga (UMA).
All information about the forum is available at www.forotransfiere.com, and on its profiles: Facebook, X and Linkedin.
