Azores emerging as Atlantic hub for space technologies, says Berta Cabral - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, highlighted today the role of the Azores as a "living laboratory of the Atlantic" and as a privileged platform for the development and application of space technologies at the service of Europe. She spoke at the opening session of the 4th European Symposium of NEREUS (Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies).

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Government, the government official pointed out that the archipelago's geostrategic position "is more than geography, it is a mission." In this regard, she recalled that the Azores were pioneers in creating the Mission Structure for Space and are co-founders of the Portuguese Space Agency – Portugal Space, based on the island of Santa Maria, and have already adopted a regional strategy for the sector.

“Our vision is clear: we want to be not only users but also co-creators of solutions based on space technology. The Azores aim to consolidate their position as an Atlantic hub for data, operations and talent, serving people and sustainability,” she said.

The Regional Secretary also emphasised that the Azores Strategy for Space encompasses areas ranging from downstream applications, technological testing and in-situ networks to space access, scientific research and the promotion of scientific culture among the population.

Inspired by the main theme of the symposium, Berta Cabral highlighted that the Azores' commitment to space research and innovation results in tangiblr contributions to three critical areas: Civil Protection, through monitoring systems and rapid response to natural disasters; the Blue Economy, promoting the sustainable management of marine resources; and Defence and Security, strengthening surveillance and response capacity in risk scenarios.

In this context, the Regional Secretary also acknowledged that "regions play an irreplaceable role as they know the field, know how to mobilise players and test solutions on the right scale. The Azores are an example of this," she said.

The Regional Secretary also noted that the focus on the area aligned with the overall vision of sustainability for the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It is certified as a "Sustainable Tourism Destination" by the EarthCheck system, having been distinguished at the World Travel Awards as Europe's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination and World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination.

“The Azores are an example of how tourism, science and technology can go hand in hand, promoting economic and social development without compromising environmental balance,” she stressed.

Berta Cabral ended with a call for joint action: “Together, we can turn regional challenges into opportunities, using space technologies to build a safer, more prosperous and sustainable future for our communities.”

The Azores are hosting the fourth edition of the European Symposium of NEREUS Regions, running from today until Friday, providing an opportunity to promote fruitful and inspiring discussions to leverage a more robust European space sector.

As a founding member of NEREUS and an active player on its board of directors, the Azores reaffirm their commitment to the mission of this network: promoting the use of space technologies to serve European regions, encouraging innovation, sustainability and interregional cooperation.

The event will bring together 15 NEREUS member regions in São Miguel, strengthening their role as agents of change, promoting innovative solutions based on space data and technologies.  

It should be noted that the Azorean Government is determined to consolidate the Region's role as an Atlantic hub for the space sector, contributing to a more resilient, sustainable and innovative Europe.

The unique geographical location and exceptional natural conditions endow the Region with several advantages in various areas of space activities, such as satellite monitoring, Earth observation and access to space.

NEREUS aims to achieve, among other things, goals such as involvement in European Union programmes with a view to responding to the needs of technology end users, increasing citizen participation in European space policy, and harnessing the potential for using space technologies to sustain economic growth in the regions.