The Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada approved, in an ordinary meeting, a motion of congratulation regarding the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the I Regional Government of the Azores. The commemorative ceremony, held on September 8th at the Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada, brought together past and present figures of the region's autonomous journey.
The establishment of the first Regional Government in September 1976 marked a foundational moment for the Autonomy of the Azores, realizing the political-administrative autonomy enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic and initiating a new chapter in the Region's political history. This executive enabled the Azores to assume its own governance responsibilities and enhanced its decision-making capacity for the future, fulfilling a deep-rooted aspiration of the Azorean people.
In this context, the Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada extends particular recognition to João Bosco Mota Amaral, the first President of the Regional Government, and to the members of the 1976 executive, for their role in establishing and affirming autonomous governance during a particularly demanding period for the country and the Region.
The President of the Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Nascimento Cabral, emphasized that "commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Regional Government's inauguration is about recognizing those who, at a decisive moment in our history, took on the responsibility of giving the Azores new decision-making power. It is also a reminder that Autonomy is a collective heritage of the Azoreans, which must continue to respond to their aspirations and future challenges".
The motion approved also highlights the contribution of successive Regional Governments to the consolidation of Autonomy over the past five decades, by strengthening the Region's institutions and decision-making capabilities amidst profound political, economic, and social transformations in the Azores. Autonomy is viewed as a collective reality, resulting from the efforts of different generations, which must be continuously valued and deepened in light of new generations' challenges and aspirations.
The choice of Ponta Delgada for the ceremony holds special significance, considering the city's historical role in affirming autonomous institutions and its status as the seat of the Regional Government. The exhibition “50 Years of the Inauguration of the I Regional Government of the Azores,” displayed at the Conceição Palace, aims to preserve the memory of this foundational moment and convey to new generations the significance of establishing the Region's self-governing institutions.
Through this motion, the Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada congratulates the commemorative ceremony and expresses its recognition to João Bosco Mota Amaral, the members of that executive, and the generations who have contributed to consolidating Autonomy. The Council reaffirms the importance of continuing to value and promote the Autonomy of the Azores as a tool for development, cohesion, and opportunity creation.
