Azores Biosphere Reserves participated in national and regional UNESCO meetings at the University of the Azores
On the 17th September, the Azores Biosphere Reserves participated in the Conference of UNESCO Chairs in Portugal, under the theme “UNESCO Chairs and global challenges – education for peace, cultural heritage, and climate change”. The initiative fostered dialogue among researchers, managers, and representatives of institutions linked to UNESCO Chairs and Networks, creating a space for sharing the importance of science, education, and international cooperation in addressing increasingly urgent global challenges.
University of the Azores joins two UNESCO Chairs: the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity and Sustainability in Atlantic Islands, coordinated by Prof. Luís Silva, dedicated to the study and enhancement of biodiversity, as well as the promotion of sustainable practices in island territories; and the most recent Chair, the UNESCO Chair in Atlantic Heritage and Insularities, coordinated by Prof. Susana Goulart Costa, which focuses on research, preservation, and dissemination of cultural heritage related to the Atlantic and the specificities of islands. A partnership between the University of the Azores, the University of São Tomé e Príncipe, and the University of Cabo Verde. Together, these two Chairs contribute to strengthening the scientific and cultural projection of the Azores within UNESCO’s international sphere.
On the 18th September, the 2nd Meeting of the UNESCO Networks of the Azores took place, bringing together representatives of the different UNESCO structures present in the archipelago. The meeting strengthened collaboration among these, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in the fields of sustainability, the promotion of natural and cultural heritage, and community engagement.
The active participation of the Azores Biosphere Reserves in these meetings reflects the continued commitment of the Autonomous Region to UNESCO values and to promoting sustainable solutions for current and future challenges.