The University of the Azores, in Ponta Delgada, hosted the II Meeting of the UNESCO Network of the Azores on September 18th, promoted by the UNESCO Chair on Biodiversity and Sustainability in Atlantic Islands and the recent UNESCO Chair on Atlantic Heritage and Insularities. This meeting brought together the various UNESCO networks in the archipelago, promoting collaboration and the exchange of experiences within the framework of the organization’s initiatives in the region.

The opening session was hosted by the Pro-Rector of the University of the Azores, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO and the representatives of the UNESCO Chairs of the University of the Azores. The main objective of this II Meeting was the discussion of joint activities and initiatives, dialogue and the finding of connecting links, of collaboration between the existing Networks in the Azores.

The UNESCO Networks are very present and active in the Azores Archipelago, in its various areas of intervention and cover a wide and varied audience. The Pico Island Nature Park is one of the most important UNESCO Heritage Sites at the regional and national level; Vanda Serpa, the director of the Park presented the Pilot Management Plan prepared within the scope of the Nature Returns project, and its implications in the management of the Heritage Asset, the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape.