The Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, today highlighted the Region’s “excellence in innovation, research and sustainability” during the “Smart Oceans: Sustainability, Technology and Economic Growth” forum.
According to the Vice-President of the Government, “the Azores are not just a vast maritime territory”, but also “a Region of excellence in innovation, research and sustainability”.
“The protection of marine biodiversity and the development of emerging technologies applied to the oceans cannot be addressed through isolated responses. They require robust international alliances and well-informed public policies”, he observed.
In this regard, the forum, jointly organised with the region of Catalonia, places the Azores exactly where they belong: “at the forefront of the global debate on the sea”, declared Artur Lima.
The official noted that this event is the result of “rigorous efforts to foster closer ties and bilateral cooperation with the Government of Catalonia’s Delegation in Portugal” and “fully reflects the commitment of the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government to outstanding international cooperation and to strengthening the archipelago’s standing in the world”.
Regarding the ties that unite the two regions, the Vice-President of the Government also highlighted the common challenges bringing the Atlantic and the Mediterranean closer together, emphasising their shared commitment to a “vision of the future, investment in knowledge and the conviction that the transition to a sustainable economy is built through networks”.
The forum, dedicated to sustainability, innovation and the blue economy, brings together a broad international scientific and business ecosystem, including the University of the Azores, the Okeanos centre, TERINOV, NONAGON, Blue Azores, Lotaçor, Portos dos Açores, the Port of Barcelona, Ports de la Generalitat and BlueNetCat.
The presence of these entities “demonstrates the vitality of a Region that knows how to transform its natural capital into economic value, knowledge and social cohesion”, emphasised Artur Lima.
Finally, the Vice-President of the Government considered that “all the opportunities are in place to turn into reality, together with our companies and through our knowledge, what will be discussed at this conference”.
Under the motto “Innovate Today to Protect Tomorrow’s Sea”, the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores and the Government of Catalonia’s Delegation in Portugal are holding the international forum “Smart Oceans: Sustainability, Technology and Economic Growth” today and on Tuesday in Angra do Heroísmo. The event aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation around sustainability, innovation and the blue economy.
The full programme and additional information are available at: www.oceanosinteligentes.com.
Source: Government of the Azores, “We Are a Region of Excellence in Innovation, Research and Sustainability, Highlights Artur Lima”, 21 September 2026, Government of the Azores Portal.