Presidência do Governo Regional
The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, advocated today a strategic vision for the Region’s future, based on capitalising on the Azores’ Atlantic location, economic diversification and a focus on new economic sectors. He spoke during the opening session of the “Conference of Regions – Ponta Delgada,” organised by the “Diário de Notícias” and “Açoriano Oriental” newspapers at the Vila Galé Collection Hotel in Ponta Delgada.
The initiative brought together political leaders, experts and representatives from various sectors to discuss the present and future of the Azores, with a programme focusing on the challenges of competitiveness, sustainability, Atlantic security and the use of European funds.
The head of the Azorean Government considered that current international challenges, marked by geopolitical instability, technological transformations, the climate and energy transition, and the reorganisation of global priorities, require governance with a strategic vision and the capacity for medium- and long-term planning.
“The future prosperity of the Azores will depend on its economic diversification, sustainability and the development of our strategic position in the Atlantic,” he said.
The President of the Regional Government emphasised that the Azores are today “establishing themselves as an Atlantic platform of opportunities.” In this regard, he advocated for a Region with “growing centrality” in the areas of security, defence, digital connectivity, scientific research, energy, the blue economy, the green economy and the space economy.
“The Atlantic has returned to the centre of international priorities,” he declared, adding that the Azores, despite their outermost region status in the context of continental Europe, are central to the North Atlantic and transatlantic relations.
For José Manuel Bolieiro, this reality represents both a responsibility and an opportunity for the Region, Portugal, the European Union and NATO.
“We do not want the Azores to be merely regarded as a region of needs. We want to promote the Azores as a region of opportunities,” he stated.
The government official also highlighted the role of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) as a decisive instrument for the Region’s structural transformation, noting that the programme represents a global allocation of €725 million.
He pointed out that, by the end of 2025, 9,455 applications had already been approved, 49 tenders had been launched, and 60 construction projects had been implemented or completed, corresponding to an investment of over €266 million.
José Manuel Bolieiro also mentioned the acquisition of over 57,000 pieces of equipment and 144 vehicles, including 123 electric models, defending that the RRP is having a tangible impact on people’s lives and bolstering regional capacity.
“More important than the figures is what these investments represent in people’s everyday lives,” he emphasised.
Among the examples mentioned, the President of the Regional Government highlighted investments in housing, with houses already built and renovated, free childcare vacancies benefiting over 14,500 children, the continued modernisation of the Regional Health Service and the delivery of over 37,000 digital devices to Azorean schools. Furthermore, he underlined the significant progress made in energy transition, through the SOLENERGE and PROENERGIA programmes, and the expansion of the Region’s geothermal capacity.
José Manuel Bolieiro also highlighted the economic and social indicators achieved in recent years, noting that the regional Gross Domestic Product grew by around 36.6% between 2019 and 2025, whilst the number of people in employment increased and the unemployment rate fell to levels below the national average.
Regarding tourism, he highlighted the sector’s consolidation as one of the driving forces of the Azorean economy, currently accounting for around 17% of regional GDP, 16% of employment and 20% of Gross Value Added.
The conference continued with the panel “RRP and the Azores 2030 – The potential for transformation,” featuring Teresa Borges Tiago and Bruno Belo, moderated by Filipe Alves.
This was followed by a discussion on the theme “The Azores as a pillar of security in the North Atlantic,” led by Ana Miguel dos Santos and Admiral António Silva Ribeiro, focusing on the Region’s geostrategic importance in the current international context.
The final panel of the initiative addressed “The Azores on the path to competitiveness, diversification and sustainability,” bringing together Luís Rebelo de Sousa, Miguel Netto de Viveiros and Pedro Machado, once again moderated by Filipe Alves.
At the end of his speech, José Manuel Bolieiro expressed his confidence in the future of the Region.
“The Azores must not look to the future with fear. They must look to it with strategic ambition, confidence and a sense of community. Because we have value,” he declared.
