The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated in Brussels that the Azores have all the potential to be a true "living laboratory" for innovative solutions in island territories in the energy sector.
 
Speaking at the presentation of the "Smart Island Initiative," Marta Guerreiro signed on behalf of the Regional Government the "Smart Island Declaration"; the latter confirms the commitment of partner islands to transform into smart, inclusive and prosperous societies, leading Europe's transition to an innovative and sustainable era.
 
Currently, over two hundred European local and regional island authorities support the initiative. According to Marta Cordeiro, this demonstrates the emphasis "on cooperation between all these players in order to strengthen innovative and energy sustainable regions. The goal will be achieved through a strategy intended to maximise synergies towards the encouragement of the entrepreneurial spirit as well as the promotion of minor investments and job creation, particularly for young people."
 
"At "Smart Island Initiative," the aim is to promote science, technology and innovation in the energy sector and enhance energy efficiency as a vector for sustainable development, strategically aligned with our political activities," stressed the Secretary for Energy.
 
Marta Guerreiro stressed that this project is inspired on "Smart Cities and Communities" of the European Commission. Nevertheless, it intends to go further by extending synergies beyond to transport and information and communication technologies, also including water and waste in a broader economic perspective.
 
"This holistic approach is derived from the insularity, a constraint that requires island authorities to ensure optimal use and management of its resources and infrastructures, often within the borders of each island in order to support sustainable economic development; the latter should fully seize the potential in terms of geography, natural and human resources, and products," stated the Regional Secretary.