AIR Centre’s Executive Director Miguel Miranda, together with Adriano Lima and Mariana Ávila, took part in the International Lajes Conference organized by FLAD (Luso-American Foundation) in Praia da Vitória, Azores, on September 18-19. Under the theme “Azores, From Ocean to Space”, the event celebrated 40 years of FLAD, and also marked 30 years of the Portugal–US Cooperation and Defense Agreement, and 80 years since the end of World War II,

Over two days, the conference brought together national and international policymakers, academics, and experts to discuss cooperation, security, science, innovation, infrastructures, sustainability and socioeconomic aspects. Discussions highlighted the Azores’ strategic role as an Atlantic hub for science, innovation and knowledge that bridges continents and fosters international collaboration

Speakers emphasized the AIR Centre’s growing role in advancing transatlantic scientific cooperation. Its partnership with FLAD spans multiple initiatives, supporting dialogue on shared priorities such as science, technology, innovation, capacity building, and transatlantic collaboration.