The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment stated today that the "Biosphere Reserve" brand, already awarded to three islands of the archipelago, is a "different way of projecting the Azores in the world." The government official spoke at the welcome session to the participants of 12th International Meeting of REDBIOS.

"The establishment of this brand is a very important contribution not only to the enhancement of our products, which generate significant added value in the market, but is also a different and unique way to project the Azores in the World," said Luís Neto Viveiros to journalists.

"In addition to promoting the Azores," the awarding of the Biosphere Reserve status also "assures the preservation of environmental values, nature preservation values and the cultural values that are nowadays part of major tourist destinations", stated Luís Neto Viveiros.

According to him, the involvement of the communities from the islands classified as Biosphere Reserve is "fundamental," namely the islands of Corvo, Flores and Graciosa.

This classification has already shown "some results," as evidenced by the fact that the three islands awarded the Biosphere Reserve status have already developed products and brands under this classification. However, the government official stressed that "we cannot stop here."

"It is a potential that should be seizes companies, associations and the population in general on the islands awarded this status in order to promote their development and prosperity," noted Luís Neto Viveiros.

Regarding other locations or islands that might be eligible for the status awarded by UNESCO, in addition to the "Fajãs" of S. Jorge, the Regional Secretary admitted this possibility; however, he emphasised that the Regional Government "aims to take the right steps with caution and believes that the Fajãs of S. Jorge are the next step."

In this context, the government official stressed that "the visit of regions and countries involved in this network to the place in question will be a good opportunity to appreciate its features and support the formalisation of the application and its subsequent success," said the government official.  

During the welcome ceremony, held at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre, the Regional Secretary highlighted the "very specific" characteristics of the place not only in terms of an environmental perspective, but also in terms of biodiversity and nature conservation. He also mentioned the "cultural aspects of our people," which are "in line with the spirit of REDBIOS."

Created in 1971, the MAB Programme - the Man and the Biosphere (The Man and the Biosphere Programme) is an international scientific cooperation programme on the interactions between man and his environment, being the Biosphere Reserves (BRs) their main line of action.

These reserves encompass internationally recognised areas of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. They are designed to respond to one the dilemmas of today's world: how to reconcile nature conservation with the demand for economic and social development and the maintenance of its cultural values.

 REDBIOS is a theme network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO that comprises territories in Western Africa and Macaronesia. It aims to foster the sustainable development of economic activities in the Biosphere Reserve areas, through the exchange of information and experiences.

The 12th Meeting of REDBIOS will take place until Friday on the islands of São Jorge, Pico and Faial under the theme "Biosphere Reserves - A contribution to local development." The initiative is jointly organised by UNESCO and the Regional Government.