Berta Cabral highlights the Azores as agents of change and sustainability leaders - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government, closed the 2nd Regional Sustainability Conference on Thursday. This event brought together experts, companies, as well as public and private entities to share best practices and challenges associated with the ESG pillars – Environmental, Social and Governance.

In her speech, the government official highlighted “the growing importance of sustainability as an opportunity and not just an obligation.” She also pointed out that the Region has strategic instruments such as the Azores Sustainability Charter and the Azores Tourism Sustainability Policy, which are fundamental for guiding investments and business decisions.

Among the key topics discussed, she highlighted the circular economy, electric mobility, sustainable management of corporate fleets, access to financing for responsible projects, and the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a benchmark for public and private policies. 

The Regional Secretary pointed out that “the Azores have unique conditions to become a living laboratory for sustainable solutions.” She mentioned the initiatives in the energy sector, the progress towards sustainable tourism certification, and the ongoing electric mobility projects as examples.

“More than just model students, we have been true agents of change, with a highly active network extending across our nine islands and all corners of our society,” she emphasised.

Furthermore, the Regional Secretary noted that achieving Gold Level certification from EarthCheck as a "Sustainable Tourism Destination" is international recognition that validates the tourism development strategy. It positions the Region as a global benchmark, which should be acknowledged and valued internally without reservation.

The closing ceremony ended with a call for collective action: "We need everyone – businesses, public institutions, communities and citizens – to turn commitments into tangible results, ensuring that sustainability is the driving force for our economic, social and environmental development."