On 9 June, the AIR Centre welcomed H.E. Mrs Patricia Villegas de Jorge, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Portugal, and Ministro Consejero Ramón A. Burgos D. for an institutional meeting at the AIR Centre Lisbon office. The visit also included Débora Simões from the Directorate for the Americas of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The AIR Centre was represented by Executive Director Miguel Miranda, Deputy Executive Director Mafalda Carapuço, and researchers Ana Faria and Tânia Li Chen.

The exchange offered the AIR Centre an opportunity to share some of its strategic priorities, ongoing work, and flagship initiatives, with particular emphasis on Sargassum monitoring, marine biodiversity, and the blue economy. The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) was highlighted as a concrete example of Atlantic cooperation fostering intergenerational engagement and bringing communities together in support of coastal resilience.

Discussions addressed several shared challenges across the Atlantic, including coastal resilience, and the increasing impact of Sargassum accumulations, an issue of growing urgency for the Caribbean region. The Ambassador also recognised Portugal’s position as a relevant scientific partner and a bridge for dialogue with countries across the Atlantic.

The meeting proved highly beneficial for both sides, offering a constructive space to explore opportunities for future and deeper cooperation. It also opened dialogue for the Dominican Republic’s future entry into the AIR Centre network, strengthening shared ambitions in ocean science, coastal resilience, and blue economy collaboration across the Atlantic.

[PC, 11 June 2026]