José Manuel Bolieiro highlights Azores' role as "transatlantic bridge" at closing session of Sister Cities Summit - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, closed the Sister Cities Summit on Friday in Ponta Delgada, an initiative promoted by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) in partnership with the Regional Government. It brought together representatives from more than 30 Portuguese and U.S. cities and municipalities with twinning agreements.

The head of the Azorean Government congratulated FLAD on its 40th anniversary and praised the summit in the Azores as an acknowledgement of the importance of cooperation between Atlantic territories. He considered the meeting an "indispensable platform for strengthening relations between Portugal and the United States of America," particularly between cities and towns united by historical ties and common projects.

Positioning himself as the voice of a Region that blends tradition and innovation, the President of the Government highlighted the Azores' progress in the field of sustainability, particularly in tourism, noting that the archipelago was a pioneer in achieving certification as a "Sustainable Tourist Destination."

"Preservation is not a luxury, it is rather an obligation to forthcoming generations and our identity," he said.

In this regard, he emphasised that the EarthCheck Gold certification represents “the reflection of a collective effort involving political leaders, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishers, tour guides, schools, and every citizen who chooses to protect rather than exploit."

In the environmental and scientific fields, José Manuel Bolieiro also highlighted the Region's commitment to international leadership in ocean protection.

“In the Azores, we do not just follow, we lead the way. We are at the forefront,” he declared, mentioning the creation of the largest network of Marine Protected Areas in the North Atlantic and the early achievement of global marine conservation targets.

In a speech marked by strategic vision and ambition for the future, the President of the Regional Government invited summit participants to know the Azores: "As a tourist destination, I invite you not only to visit the Azores but to understand them. To experience their nature, listen to their silence, and recognise in our people an example of balance between tradition and modernity."

The "Sister Cities Summit," which was held under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, consisted of three days of debates and experience sharing between twin communities on both sides of the Atlantic. It focused on sustainable local development and the construction of cooperation networks in the areas of culture, education, economics, and science.

The closing session was attended by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Luís Garcia, the President of FLAD, Nuno Morais Sarmento, the Rector of the University of the Azores, Susana Mira Leal, and José Manuel Durão Barroso, who participated as a guest speaker.

Related press release: Speech by the President of the Government