Azores to hold Presidency of RAEGE Executive Committee in 2026, announces Paulo Estêvão - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Azores will hold the Presidency of the Executive Committee of the Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations (RAEGE) for the first time in 2026, announced the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão. He attended a meeting of that entity today via digital format.

"This decision marks a historic moment for scientific cooperation between Portugal and Spain, reinforcing the strategic role of the Azores in the development of international geodesy and space observation projects," stated the government official.

The Executive Committee is a body responsible for establishing RAEGE's management and administration guidelines, as well as overseeing its activities. It is composed of six members, three appointed by the National Geographic Institute of Spain and three appointed by the Regional Government of the Azores.

Since its inception, the presidency of this body has been held by Spain. However, at today's Executive Committee meeting, it was unanimously decided that the Azores will hold the presidency for 2026.

The RAEGE project began in 2010 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Spanish Government and the Azorean Government for the construction, installation and operation of four Fundamental Geodetic Stations: two in Spain (Yebes and Gran Canaria) and two in the Azores (Santa Maria and Flores).

“The Azores are increasingly establishing themselves in these areas. The next two years will be absolutely decisive and will mark a new stage. This has been a crucial week, with the signing of the protocol for the landing of “Space Rider” in Santa Maria and the official appointment of the Region to the Presidency of the RAEGE Executive Committee,” added Paulo Estêvão.

All RAEGE project equipment provides the necessary geodetic infrastructure for monitoring the Earth, capable of supplying high-precision data to the scientific community, helping to quantify changes in our planet's space and time. The observations can be used to map and monitor changes in the Earth's shape, rotation and mass distribution. This contributes to updating international terrestrial reference frames, making it possible to study important aspects such as those concerning climate change or estimates of changes in mean sea level.

RAEGE also comprises two base centres, one in Yebes and the other in São Miguel. Each has the mission of ensuring the operational functioning of the Geodetic Fundamental Stations located in their respective territories, thus contributing to the maintenance and development of the corresponding equipment, facilities, and infrastructures.