The Guatemalan delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado, and included the Director General for Bilateral International Relations of Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lynsay Hernández de Muñoz, and the Ambassador of Guatemala to France, Ambassador Rubén Estuardo Nájera.

Representing Portugal were Débora Simões, from the Directorate for the Americas of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Helena Marchão, from the State Protocol; and Sofia Cordeiro, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Studies, Planning and Evaluation at the Portuguese Ministry of Education.

During the meeting, the AIR Centre presented its ongoing research and innovation activities, highlighting the strategic importance of transatlantic cooperation between the Global North and South. The discussion also focused on identifying priority areas for collaboration between AIR Centre and Guatemala, including joint research initiatives, capacity-building, and technical assistance.

This visit represents an initial step towards building a sustained dialogue between Portugal and Guatemala in science, technology, and innovation. It also provided an opportunity to explore how Portugal’s research and innovation landscape could support Guatemala’s priorities in the near future.

This meeting with government representatives and diplomats highlights the AIR Centre’s role in promoting international partnerships with real policy impact.

[PC, 15 May 2026]