As the Azores celebrate half a century of constitutional autonomy, the President of the Regional Legislative Assembly highlights the essential role of engineering in the archipelago’s development and its importance in building a sustainable and resilient future.
The transformation of the Azores over the past 50 years has been shaped not only by political vision and democratic determination but also by the scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and engineering ingenuity that helped overcome the geographical challenges of an Atlantic archipelago. From airports and harbors to roads, telecommunications, energy systems, and water infrastructure, engineering has been fundamental to improving living conditions and strengthening connections among the nine islands. As the region commemorates the 50th anniversary of constitutional autonomy, Luís Garcia, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, is calling for renewed recognition of engineering as an indispensable partner in shaping the next half-century of regional development.
Speaking in Horta, on Faial Island, during the closing session of the conference Half a Century of Autonomy with Engineering at the Service of the Azores, organized by the Azores Regional Section of the Order of Technical Engineers, Garcia emphasized the close relationship between political autonomy and the archipelago’s economic and social transformation. “Politics may define an objective, but we need science, technology, and engineering to determine the best way to achieve it,” he stated, recognizing the professionals who have translated political aspirations into practical achievements despite the challenges of geographical fragmentation, limited resources, and natural hazards.
Looking toward the future, Garcia identified climate change, the energy transition, digital transformation, and the sustainable development of marine resources as areas in which engineering and scientific innovation will become increasingly decisive. He emphasized that technological advancement must benefit the entire archipelago rather than deepen existing inequalities between islands. “Innovation is only truly progress when it reaches every island,” he declared, reinforcing the importance of territorial cohesion as a fundamental principle of autonomy.
The parliamentary leader also stressed the need to attract and retain qualified professionals while encouraging engineering to become an active participant in defining long-term development strategies. “Technology may be universal, but good solutions must always understand the place where they will be applied,” he observed, highlighting the importance of adapting scientific knowledge to the distinct geographical, environmental, and economic realities of each island.
Beyond the technical challenges, Garcia presented the anniversary of constitutional autonomy as an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities of present and future generations. “The autonomy we inherited from previous generations cannot simply be administered. It must continue to be built,” he affirmed. His remarks underscored the understanding that autonomy is not a completed political achievement but an evolving democratic project requiring continuous investment, innovation, and collective responsibility.
In recognition of the contribution of engineering professionals to regional development, Garcia presented the Azores Regional Section of the Order of Technical Engineers with the commemorative medal marking 50 years of constitutional autonomy. He concluded by expressing confidence that engineering would remain central to building a more sustainable, digitally connected, resilient, and territorially cohesive region.
“Engineering and autonomy share the same ambition: transforming limitations into possibilities,” Garcia declared.
For an archipelago whose history has been defined by the constant negotiation between geographical isolation and human determination, those words carry particular significance. The first 50 years of autonomy demonstrated that geography need not determine destiny. The next 50 will depend on the ability to transform scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and democratic self-government into lasting opportunities for all nine islands and the generations that will inherit them.
Based on a Press release from ALRAA. The photo is also from ALRAA