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Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production
Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Artur Lima stresses that “a Europe that does not value its regions will always be an incomplete Europe”
Artur Lima stresses that “a Europe that does not value its regions will always be an incomplete Europe”
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Vice-Presidency of the Government awards grant under “Estagiar Europa” programme to Joana Gomes
Vice-Presidency of the Government awards grant under “Estagiar Europa” programme to Joana Gomes
May 20, 2026
Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production
May 11, 2026
Artur Lima stresses that “a Europe that does not value its regions will always be an incomplete Europe”
May 8, 2026
Vice-Presidency of the Government awards grant under “Estagiar Europa” programme to Joana Gomes
News
Nota de Imprensa
May 20, 2026
Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, highlighted on Tuesday the Region’s role in global knowledge production during the ceremony marking “National Scientists’ Day.” “The geopolitics of the 21st century are no longer measured solely by land borders. They are measured by knowledge. In this global arena, the Azores have a decisive say,” emphasised the Vice-President. “When Okeanos researchers descend to hydrothermal vents or map our seamounts, they are not merely producing scientific papers. They are protecting Europe’s greatest marine biodiversity and shaping the blue economy, one of the economies of the future,” he continued. “When IVAR and our volcanologists monitor, day and night, the pulse of our land, they are ensuring the safety of our people, our homes, our lives, and making the energy transition viable through our geothermal energy,” he noted. “All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely fundamental to the development of our land,” said Artur Lima. “All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely vital to the development of our Region,” stated Artur Lima. Speaking to an audience of young secondary school students at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre, the government official addressed the challenges facing research in the archipelago in terms of mobility, access to equipment and funding. He also emphasised the Government’s commitment to “retaining scientific talent across the nine islands.” “The future lies with you. I want you to look out to sea and up at the sky and know that you can be the scientists of tomorrow, without having to leave our homeland,” he declared. Artur Lima highlighted the science support measures currently in place, including the co-funding of European projects. “Today, we had four researchers here who are pursuing their PhDs under the new co-funding measures we have introduced. They have been inspiring future generations who, I hope, will be enthusiastic about science and will gain the necessary qualifications, so that they too can contribute to the development of our homeland,” he asserted. According to the Vice-President of the Government, “we need to create a truly educational community, spanning from vocational education to secondary and higher education. Unfortunately, we still have low higher education enrolment rates and need to motivate young people.” The Regional Government “has already taken steps in this direction with higher education scholarships. It is an ongoing process of supporting young people that must be pursued,” he stated. Artur Lima also highlighted that research in the archipelago has been expanding beyond the maritime and agricultural sectors to include areas such as geostrategy, health and space, with the latter two being integrated into RIS3 on the Government’s initiative. At the same time, “the world is becoming increasingly global, and the Azores are an example of this. They are at the heart of the digital transformation with the NUVEM, SOL and CAM submarine cables, which will soon reach the Region,” he emphasised.
May 20, 2026
Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, highlighted on Tuesday the Region’s role in global knowledge production during the ceremony marking “National Scientists’ Day.” “The geopolitics of the 21st century are no longer measured solely by land borders. They are measured by knowledge. In this global arena, the Azores have a decisive say,” emphasised the Vice-President. “When Okeanos researchers descend to hydrothermal vents or map our seamounts, they are not merely producing scientific papers. They are protecting Europe’s greatest marine biodiversity and shaping the blue economy, one of the economies of the future,” he continued. “When IVAR and our volcanologists monitor, day and night, the pulse of our land, they are ensuring the safety of our people, our homes, our lives, and making the energy transition viable through our geothermal energy,” he noted. “All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely fundamental to the development of our land,” said Artur Lima. “All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely vital to the development of our Region,” stated Artur Lima. Speaking to an audience of young secondary school students at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre, the government official addressed the challenges facing research in the archipelago in terms of mobility, access to equipment and funding. He also emphasised the Government’s commitment to “retaining scientific talent across the nine islands.” “The future lies with you. I want you to look out to sea and up at the sky and know that you can be the scientists of tomorrow, without having to leave our homeland,” he declared. Artur Lima highlighted the science support measures currently in place, including the co-funding of European projects. “Today, we had four researchers here who are pursuing their PhDs under the new co-funding measures we have introduced. They have been inspiring future generations who, I hope, will be enthusiastic about science and will gain the necessary qualifications, so that they too can contribute to the development of our homeland,” he asserted. According to the Vice-President of the Government, “we need to create a truly educational community, spanning from vocational education to secondary and higher education. Unfortunately, we still have low higher education enrolment rates and need to motivate young people.” The Regional Government “has already taken steps in this direction with higher education scholarships. It is an ongoing process of supporting young people that must be pursued,” he stated. Artur Lima also highlighted that research in the archipelago has been expanding beyond the maritime and agricultural sectors to include areas such as geostrategy, health and space, with the latter two being integrated into RIS3 on the Government’s initiative. At the same time, “the world is becoming increasingly global, and the Azores are an example of this. They are at the heart of the digital transformation with the NUVEM, SOL and CAM submarine cables, which will soon reach the Region,” he emphasised.
Nota de Imprensa
May 11, 2026
Artur Lima stresses that “a Europe that does not value its regions will always be an incomplete Europe”
As part of the Europe Day celebrations on the island of Flores on May 9, Artur Lima highlighted the geostrategic and geopolitical importance of the archipelago of the Azores to the world and Europe. “We are celebrating Europe Day and marking the 40th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the European Union,” stated Artur Lima, who explained that it would make no sense to celebrate this date anywhere else, given that Flores is home to “the westernmost point of Europe.” On the occasion, the Vice-President of the Regional Government emphasised that “within the European Union, the Azores are far from the decision-making centres.” As such, it is “essential to build on this unique feature of Flores to continue projecting the Azores’ distinctiveness across the Atlantic, within the European Union and throughout the world.” Artur Lima pointed out the urgent need for Europe to acknowledge the value of Outermost Regions, not as peripheral areas but as indispensable strategic assets. The Vice-President emphasised that European competitiveness cannot exist without territorial cohesion, mentioning the concept of “mobility poverty” and noting that, in the Azores, “the railway is the air and the sea.” "Here, in Flores, where Europe ends on the map but looms large on the horizon, we reiterate that this is not a peripheral region but a key one. For there is no European competitiveness without cohesion, and there is no cohesion without the regions," he stated. During his speech, the Vice-President highlighted the progress made in the region since Portugal joined the then EEC. “Over the last four decades, the Region has built essential infrastructure such as ports and airports; it has prioritised the skills and education of the population and developed environmental protection programmes; the Region has invested in its endogenous potential, through agriculture, the maritime sector and the production of renewable energy,” he noted. The government official also highlighted current achievements and preparations for future challenges, noting that “the Region’s future is now anchored in the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which identifies Health, Space and Data Science as priority areas. The installation of new submarine cables and the focus on cybersecurity position the islands as a vital hub in Europe’s digital transition.” The celebrations were attended by Rui Reis, the representative of the Government of Catalonia in Portugal. Both regions share a historical connection, but their ties have grown significantly closer since 2025, the year when the Azores joined DETA (Disruptive & Emerging Technology Alliance), an alliance promoted by the Government of Catalonia. “This partnership in cutting-edge fields, such as Artificial Intelligence and the New Space Economy, demonstrates that innovation in 21st-century Europe does not have a single geographical centre, but rather stems from the union of regions exercising their autonomy as a democratic pillar,” stressed Artur Lima. During the celebrations, the Vice-President paid tribute to Pedro da Silveira, Europe’s most westerly poet: “Islander from rind to heart — and away I go, with no ambition beyond the open space." The celebrations, which were broadcast live, included official ceremonies and speeches, cultural events featuring a tribute to poet Pedro da Silveira, a conference, two exhibitions showcasing works created by children and senior citizens, the launch of a postcard, stamp and postmark by CTT (Portuguese Postal Services), as well as the unveiling of a mural celebrating 40 years of European integration.
May 11, 2026
Artur Lima stresses that “a Europe that does not value its regions will always be an incomplete Europe”
As part of the Europe Day celebrations on the island of Flores on May 9, Artur Lima highlighted the geostrategic and geopolitical importance of the archipelago of the Azores to the world and Europe. “We are celebrating Europe Day and marking the 40th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the European Union,” stated Artur Lima, who explained that it would make no sense to celebrate this date anywhere else, given that Flores is home to “the westernmost point of Europe.” On the occasion, the Vice-President of the Regional Government emphasised that “within the European Union, the Azores are far from the decision-making centres.” As such, it is “essential to build on this unique feature of Flores to continue projecting the Azores’ distinctiveness across the Atlantic, within the European Union and throughout the world.” Artur Lima pointed out the urgent need for Europe to acknowledge the value of Outermost Regions, not as peripheral areas but as indispensable strategic assets. The Vice-President emphasised that European competitiveness cannot exist without territorial cohesion, mentioning the concept of “mobility poverty” and noting that, in the Azores, “the railway is the air and the sea.” "Here, in Flores, where Europe ends on the map but looms large on the horizon, we reiterate that this is not a peripheral region but a key one. For there is no European competitiveness without cohesion, and there is no cohesion without the regions," he stated. During his speech, the Vice-President highlighted the progress made in the region since Portugal joined the then EEC. “Over the last four decades, the Region has built essential infrastructure such as ports and airports; it has prioritised the skills and education of the population and developed environmental protection programmes; the Region has invested in its endogenous potential, through agriculture, the maritime sector and the production of renewable energy,” he noted. The government official also highlighted current achievements and preparations for future challenges, noting that “the Region’s future is now anchored in the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which identifies Health, Space and Data Science as priority areas. The installation of new submarine cables and the focus on cybersecurity position the islands as a vital hub in Europe’s digital transition.” The celebrations were attended by Rui Reis, the representative of the Government of Catalonia in Portugal. Both regions share a historical connection, but their ties have grown significantly closer since 2025, the year when the Azores joined DETA (Disruptive & Emerging Technology Alliance), an alliance promoted by the Government of Catalonia. “This partnership in cutting-edge fields, such as Artificial Intelligence and the New Space Economy, demonstrates that innovation in 21st-century Europe does not have a single geographical centre, but rather stems from the union of regions exercising their autonomy as a democratic pillar,” stressed Artur Lima. During the celebrations, the Vice-President paid tribute to Pedro da Silveira, Europe’s most westerly poet: “Islander from rind to heart — and away I go, with no ambition beyond the open space." The celebrations, which were broadcast live, included official ceremonies and speeches, cultural events featuring a tribute to poet Pedro da Silveira, a conference, two exhibitions showcasing works created by children and senior citizens, the launch of a postcard, stamp and postmark by CTT (Portuguese Postal Services), as well as the unveiling of a mural celebrating 40 years of European integration.