Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão
Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools
Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Azores to hold Presidency of RAEGE Executive Committee in 2026, announces Paulo Estêvão
Azores to hold Presidency of RAEGE Executive Committee in 2026, announces Paulo Estêvão
December 15, 2025
Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão
December 2, 2025
Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools
November 28, 2025
Azores to hold Presidency of RAEGE Executive Committee in 2026, announces Paulo Estêvão
News
Nota de Imprensa
December 15, 2025
Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, signed today, on behalf of the Regional Government, a cooperation protocol with the Portuguese Space Agency that will reinforce the Region's "strategic importance" in the space sector. "There are various strategic advantages reinforced by the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores, further strengthening our importance, which was already significant from a maritime standpoint and is now reinforced in a new sector as important as space," stated the government official. He spoke at the ceremony held at the Conceição Palace, in Ponta Delgada, where the Portuguese Space Agency was represented by its President, Ricardo Conde. One of the primary missions for the coming years is "Space Rider," which involves the development of a reusable space vehicle for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity and testing service technologies for other space missions, and whose return location will be on the island of Santa Maria. Paulo Estêvão stated that the regional contribution to this project will amount to three million Euros, earmarked to support the creation of a Space Technology Centre in Santa Maria, with a global budget of 15 million Euros. In addition to "Space Rider," the development of the space sector in Santa Maria also includes suborbital and, later, orbital launches, which will enable the future launch of satellites. The creation of a landing site in Santa Maria is a key element in Portugal's support for the "Space Rider" project. The infrastructure will have a landing control centre, as well as a payload processing and analysis platform with highly specialised facilities and expertise. “Whether by irony of fate or not, or by a twist of geography, we are once again a point of return. This time, it is a fundamental point of return, which is the return of space vehicles to Europe. We are the only point of return in Europe for space vehicles. This gives us fundamental strategic importance,” stressed the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, who is responsible for space matters. The protocol signed today aims to define the general framework for cooperation between the Azorean Government and the Portuguese Space Agency, within the scope of the coordinated implementation of the National Space Strategy and the Azores Space Strategy, as well as to establish guidelines for the coordination and joint implementation of activities in the five priority areas defined in the Azores Space Strategy. The parties undertake to cooperate on five strategic areas of the Azores Space Strategy: the development of the downstream sector – applications based on spatial data; the installation of test sites for space technologies and the integration of on-site networks; the promotion of access to space; the advancement of research, development and innovation in space; and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, education and culture in space. At the same time, a joint monitoring group will be set up, composed of designated representatives from both parties. This group will be responsible for, among other things, contributing to the development of the Portuguese Space Agency's activity plan through joint initiatives to be carried out in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and defining annual joint action plans. The protocol will be valid for three years and may be renewed for equal periods.
December 15, 2025
Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, signed today, on behalf of the Regional Government, a cooperation protocol with the Portuguese Space Agency that will reinforce the Region's "strategic importance" in the space sector. "There are various strategic advantages reinforced by the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores, further strengthening our importance, which was already significant from a maritime standpoint and is now reinforced in a new sector as important as space," stated the government official. He spoke at the ceremony held at the Conceição Palace, in Ponta Delgada, where the Portuguese Space Agency was represented by its President, Ricardo Conde. One of the primary missions for the coming years is "Space Rider," which involves the development of a reusable space vehicle for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity and testing service technologies for other space missions, and whose return location will be on the island of Santa Maria. Paulo Estêvão stated that the regional contribution to this project will amount to three million Euros, earmarked to support the creation of a Space Technology Centre in Santa Maria, with a global budget of 15 million Euros. In addition to "Space Rider," the development of the space sector in Santa Maria also includes suborbital and, later, orbital launches, which will enable the future launch of satellites. The creation of a landing site in Santa Maria is a key element in Portugal's support for the "Space Rider" project. The infrastructure will have a landing control centre, as well as a payload processing and analysis platform with highly specialised facilities and expertise. “Whether by irony of fate or not, or by a twist of geography, we are once again a point of return. This time, it is a fundamental point of return, which is the return of space vehicles to Europe. We are the only point of return in Europe for space vehicles. This gives us fundamental strategic importance,” stressed the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, who is responsible for space matters. The protocol signed today aims to define the general framework for cooperation between the Azorean Government and the Portuguese Space Agency, within the scope of the coordinated implementation of the National Space Strategy and the Azores Space Strategy, as well as to establish guidelines for the coordination and joint implementation of activities in the five priority areas defined in the Azores Space Strategy. The parties undertake to cooperate on five strategic areas of the Azores Space Strategy: the development of the downstream sector – applications based on spatial data; the installation of test sites for space technologies and the integration of on-site networks; the promotion of access to space; the advancement of research, development and innovation in space; and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, education and culture in space. At the same time, a joint monitoring group will be set up, composed of designated representatives from both parties. This group will be responsible for, among other things, contributing to the development of the Portuguese Space Agency's activity plan through joint initiatives to be carried out in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and defining annual joint action plans. The protocol will be valid for three years and may be renewed for equal periods.
Nota de Imprensa
December 2, 2025
Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools
The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is promoting the third edition of Film Without Borders – Regional Film Festival on Migration, which runs from today until December 18 in all secondary schools across the Region. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the student community about the phenomenon of migration, promote cultural diversity and human rights, and encourage the construction of a fair and supportive society. Travelling across the nine islands of the Azores, the Festival presents four films inviting students to reflect on inclusion, multiculturalism and the challenges of coexistence between different cultures. The opening took place today at Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School, on the island of Faial, with the screening of the film "Flow," by Gints Zibalodis, winner of the Golden Globe and Oscar in the animation category. This dialogue-free film shows a cat and other animals working together on a drifting boat, highlighting how cooperation and solidarity can arise even in adverse situations. The film "Migrants" by Hugo Caby, Antoine Dupriez, Aubin Kubiak, Lucas Lermytte and Zoé Devise follows two polar bears forced to leave their habitat, reflecting on adaptation and resilience. In Ai Weiwei's "Human Flow," the narrative takes on a global scale, portraying millions of displaced people and giving voice to their experiences. Sherry Hormann's "Desert Flower" tells the true story of Waris Dirie, a young Somali woman who overcomes female genital mutilation and becomes an international advocate for women's rights, dealing with themes of courage, justice, and empowerment. The programme covers all secondary schools in the Region. On the island of São Miguel, the exhibition will reach Armando Côrtes-Rodrigues Basic Education and Secondary School, Laranjeiras Secondary School, Ribeira Grande Secondary School, Povoação Basic Education and Secondary School, Lagoa Secondary School, Antero de Quental Secondary School, Domingos Rebelo Secondary School and Nordeste Basic Education School. On Faial, it will cover Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School. On Pico, it will visit São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School, Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, and Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School. On Terceira, it will include Tomás de Borba Basic Education and Secondary School, Vitorino Nemésio Secondary School, and Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School. In São Jorge, it will reach Velas Basic Education and Secondary School and Calheta Basic Education and Secondary School. The initiative will also cover the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School in Graciosa, Flores Basic Education and Secondary School in Flores, Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School in Santa Maria, and Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education and Secondary School in Corvo. Throughout the event, students are invited to reflect on migration, inclusion and human rights. This will consolidate the Exhibition as a space for sharing, learning and collective growth, capable of promoting social awareness, valuing differences and building communities that are more supportive and open to the world. The Exhibition ends on December 18 at Nordeste Basic Education and Secondary School, in São Miguel, with the screening of the film "Flow," reiterating the role of film in education for citizenship and the recognition of differences.
December 2, 2025
Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools
The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is promoting the third edition of Film Without Borders – Regional Film Festival on Migration, which runs from today until December 18 in all secondary schools across the Region. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the student community about the phenomenon of migration, promote cultural diversity and human rights, and encourage the construction of a fair and supportive society. Travelling across the nine islands of the Azores, the Festival presents four films inviting students to reflect on inclusion, multiculturalism and the challenges of coexistence between different cultures. The opening took place today at Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School, on the island of Faial, with the screening of the film "Flow," by Gints Zibalodis, winner of the Golden Globe and Oscar in the animation category. This dialogue-free film shows a cat and other animals working together on a drifting boat, highlighting how cooperation and solidarity can arise even in adverse situations. The film "Migrants" by Hugo Caby, Antoine Dupriez, Aubin Kubiak, Lucas Lermytte and Zoé Devise follows two polar bears forced to leave their habitat, reflecting on adaptation and resilience. In Ai Weiwei's "Human Flow," the narrative takes on a global scale, portraying millions of displaced people and giving voice to their experiences. Sherry Hormann's "Desert Flower" tells the true story of Waris Dirie, a young Somali woman who overcomes female genital mutilation and becomes an international advocate for women's rights, dealing with themes of courage, justice, and empowerment. The programme covers all secondary schools in the Region. On the island of São Miguel, the exhibition will reach Armando Côrtes-Rodrigues Basic Education and Secondary School, Laranjeiras Secondary School, Ribeira Grande Secondary School, Povoação Basic Education and Secondary School, Lagoa Secondary School, Antero de Quental Secondary School, Domingos Rebelo Secondary School and Nordeste Basic Education School. On Faial, it will cover Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School. On Pico, it will visit São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School, Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, and Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School. On Terceira, it will include Tomás de Borba Basic Education and Secondary School, Vitorino Nemésio Secondary School, and Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School. In São Jorge, it will reach Velas Basic Education and Secondary School and Calheta Basic Education and Secondary School. The initiative will also cover the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School in Graciosa, Flores Basic Education and Secondary School in Flores, Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School in Santa Maria, and Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education and Secondary School in Corvo. Throughout the event, students are invited to reflect on migration, inclusion and human rights. This will consolidate the Exhibition as a space for sharing, learning and collective growth, capable of promoting social awareness, valuing differences and building communities that are more supportive and open to the world. The Exhibition ends on December 18 at Nordeste Basic Education and Secondary School, in São Miguel, with the screening of the film "Flow," reiterating the role of film in education for citizenship and the recognition of differences.