The city of Ribeira Grande, in the Azores, was the venue for the 1st Regional Quality Conference of the Azores, held on October 15th and 16th. The initiative, promoted by the Portuguese Association for Quality (APQ), gathered decision-makers, specialists, company representatives, and academic institutions at the Arquipélago – Centre of Contemporary Arts to discuss the specific challenges and opportunities of island territories.
Under the theme “Macaronesia: Quality, Cooperation, and Competitiveness in Island Territories”, the opening session was attended by the Vice-President of the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council, Délia Melo. In her speech, Melo welcomed the participants and highlighted the event's importance for the municipality, expressing its satisfaction at being chosen to host professional meetings and knowledge-sharing initiatives, thus reinforcing its position as a space for dialogue and new opportunities.
Délia Melo also emphasized the growing role of quality as an essential factor for efficiency, trust, competitiveness, and sustainability in both the private sector and public administration. She recalled the journey of the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council, whose services have been awarded quality certification since 2021, demonstrating the council's commitment to continuous improvement and more efficient service to citizens.
The Conference addressed the specific challenges faced by island territories, such as distance to markets, logistical constraints, the size of economies, and the management of limited resources. Opportunities in areas like the blue economy, sustainable tourism, digital transition, innovation, and the valorization of regional products and services were also explored.
The first day of the event was dedicated to plenary sessions, round tables, and reflection moments, while the second day included “Open Days”, allowing for more direct contact with the business and institutional reality of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
