Vasco Cordeiro highlights potential of AIR Center for creation employment creation and wealth generation in the Azores
The President of the Government highlighted today the potential of the future Azores International Research Center (AIR Center) in employment creation and wealth generation in the Region as well as in the projection of Portugal abroad.
"While working in network with a wide range of institutions from other countries, this structure will be headquartered in the Azores and will have great potential in the field of space, climate and oceans. It will contribute to the creation of skilled jobs and the generation of wealth in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke after receiving the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor. The audience addressed the meeting "Atlantic Interactions: High Level Industry-Science-Government Dialogue," an initiative organised by the National Government in partnership with the Government of the Azores to be held on Terceira Island on April 20 and 21.
This high-level meeting that will bring together delegations from over 30 countries, with about two hundred participants, will discuss the creation of the future AIR Center. It aims to promote dialogue between government officials, researchers and entrepreneurs, aligning research strategies of South Atlantic countries and North Atlantic countries for international cooperation in the areas of climate change, energy, space and ocean.
According to Vasco Cordeiro, the Region's interest in this process has to do with the fact that, through geographical location, the Azores reinforce their importance in the national whole and enhance their contribution to the external projection of the country.
"This process does not have ultimate and sole goal of promoting scientific knowledge, but also the potential it holds in employment creation and wealth generation," said the President of the Government.
"This is one of the reasons why the Government of the Azores is committed and involved in this process. It looks forward for the results, being aware of the potentialities that the meeting held on Terceira and the structure of AIR Center can bring to employment creation and wealth generation," said Vasco Cordeiro.
According to him, the fact that the Azores will host the meeting on Terceira Island and be the chosen place for the installation of the AIR Center is not just the result of its geographical location.
"There is a series of investment made by the Region and partnerships established over time on several islands in the field of space, oceans and climate, among others, which give shape to this initiative in the Azores," stressed the President of the Government.