The Autonomous Region of the Azores, the European Region of the Year 2010, is participating in the celebrations of the “European Maritime Day,” which are taking place in the Spanish city of Gijón in Asturias, with a series initiatives organised by the Regional Secretariat for the Economy and the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea.
The European Maritime Day is considered as one of the major annual events dedicated by Community institutions to the main agents of the maritime world. This year’s celebration will be held during three days with various events such as exhibitions, exhibitions stands of the participating regions, political sessions and over fifty workshops which focus on innovation, competitiveness, environmental protection, better working and employment conditions as well as on the excellence in research and science fields.
The Region will participate in this conference with a space that is specifically addressed for the promotion of the Azores as tourist destination, which was organised by the regional Secretariat for the Economy, and with an outdoor stand for the presentation of the marine and coastal areas of the Archipelago, being shared by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, and by the University of the Azores.
In addition to this promotional and institutional presence, the Government of the Azores will be represented at the celebrations by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea as well as by the Regional Under Secretary of Fishing, who will attend a cycle of conferences dedicated to Sea issues.
Two exhibitions on the themes “the Azores in forefront of marine research and innovation” and “the extraordinary cetacean heritage of the Azores” are still taking place.
Furthermore, the Azores will also participate in specific exhibition to promote outermost regions that are organised by the Canary Institute of Marine Sciences (ICCM).