The Government of the Azores presented the Regional Plan for Environmental Education and Awareness Raising (PRESAA) at a public session that took place at the Sea Centre in the city of Horta on Friday.

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea, Álamo Meneses, who chaired the meeting of the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, held on Friday morning, also presided over the public presentation of PRESAA, a plan expected to be developed until 2024.

This plan aims to raise the awareness of youngsters for the NGOs and nature conservation, highlighting the importance of acknowledging environmental and natural heritage as a factor of progress and sustainability for the archipelago.

Álamo de Meneses, making statements to the media, said that "the implementation of a current sustainable development model, without harming forthcoming generations, is one of the main goals of the commitment made by the Autonomous Region of the Azores as well importance of a balanced use of natural resources for a fair economic and social growth."

"Being a driving force for the accomplishment of these goals in this decade, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea considers education and environmental awareness as priority key areas under the scope of PRESAA," said the government official.

Furthermore, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea also reiterated that PRESAA, throughout its implementation period of 12 years (2012-2024), "intends to play a role in the coordination of efforts and as guiding principle," thus becoming into a "working tool for students, teachers, NGOs, associations, companies and the society in general with regard to environmental themes."