The President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, said today that the classification of Angra do Heroísmo as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO "cannot be a mere distinction"; it should be factor of development, wealth generation and employment creation.

"One of the challenges we all face, 30 years after this classification, is not the creation of better mechanisms or the pursuit of the best policies and measures to preserve the memory of Angra do Heroísmo, but rather to create the conditions to turn it into a factor of progress and development of the city, the island and of the Region as well." In this context, Vasco Cordeiro defended that the classification of this city as World Heritage Site "cannot be a mere distinction, but an asset."

The President of the Government spoke at the solemn session that marked the 30th anniversary of the classification of Angra do Heroísmo as World Heritage Site and the celebration of the National Day of UNESCO. According to him, this is not just about the preservation of the memory of Angra do Heroísmo, but "the way how the classification of the World Heritage can be a driving force in the development and progress" of this city.

In his speech, the government official stressed that the response to this challenge is not the sole responsibility of public entities. Nevertheless, he reassured the Angra do Heroísmo City Hall that "the Regional Government will be a partner in the project in order to win this challenge."

Vasco Cordeiro recalled the existence of another area classified by UNESCO: the Protected Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture. The President of the Government stressed that this area also faces the challenge of "turning this distinction into a factor of progress, development as well as of wealth generation and employment creation."