2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Cooperation and Defense Agreement between Portugal and the USA and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. In the context of the program that celebrates FLAD’s 40th anniversary, it is proposed that the Lajes International Conference be dedicated to reflecting on the past, looking at the present, and thinking about the future of bilateral relations between Portugal and the USA and transatlantic relations under the motto “Azores, From Ocean to Space”.

The Lajes International Conference, part of the celebrations of FLAD’s 40th anniversary, will take place for two days in Praia da Vitória, in the Azores, and is an opportunity for dialogue around the geopolitical and geoeconomic role of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as an Atlantic platform for science, innovation, sustainability and security, in the context of Portugal’s positioning as a European and Atlantic State.

The program combines testimonies, practice and scientific research, with the participation of national and international guests — policy makers, academics and analysts. Sessions dedicated to Portuguese-American cooperation, the diaspora and Euro-Atlantic security are planned, as well as debates on oceans, critical infrastructure and space. Science, innovation and sustainability are particularly prominent, through the presentation of projects awarded by FLAD. At the same time, the event will feature cultural initiatives, such as literary presentations and a final concert, reinforcing the role of the Azores as a bridge between continents and a platform for knowledge and international cooperation.

Admission is free, upon registration:

  • 1st day, September 18 – registration here
  • 2nd day, September 19 – registration here

 

Program

18 September | Auditorium of the Cultural and Youth Centre/Auditorium of Ramo Grande, Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, Azores

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Opening Session

  • Vânia Ferreira, Mayor of Praia da Vitória
  • Nuno Morais Sarmento, President of FLAD
  • José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Government of the Azores

11:00-11:30 a.m. | Opening Lecture: Three decades of Transatlantic Dialogue

  • Paulo Portas, former Deputy Prime Minister (2013-2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011-2015), and Minister of National Defense (2002-2005)

Coffee Break

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Round Table: Transatlantic Dialogue – 30 Years of Portuguese-American Cooperation

  • Moderator: Ana Paula Zacarias, Diplomatic Institute
  • Paulo Portas, former Deputy Prime Minister (2013-2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011-2015), and Minister of National Defense (2002-2005)
  • Rita Rico, US Consul in Ponta Delgada
  • Jack Martins, State Senator for New York State

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Lecture: Transatlantic Relations – An Alliance in Reconfiguration?

  • Ian Lesser, German Marshall Fund of the United States

2:45-3:45 p.m. | Roundtable: Transatlantic Relations – From the Postwar Period to Global Reconfiguration

  • Moderator: Ana Santos Pinto, Chair of the Expert Group on NATO and the South (2018-2019)
  • Daniel Marcos, NOVA University Lisbon
  • Miguel Monjardino, IEP-Católica
  • Bruno Cardoso Reis, ISCTE-IUL
  • Ian Lesser, German Marshall Fund of the United States

4:00 p.m. – Inauguration of the Exhibition “80 years of the Lajes Base”

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Diaspora – Presentation of the book from the Coast to Coast collection

  • Moderator: Ana Daniela Soares, RTP
  • Katherine Vaz, Writer
  • Deolinda Adão, University of California, Berkeley

5:30 p.m. | NATO: a success story in transatlantic relations – a testimony

  • Paulo Vizeu Pinheiro, Permanent Representative of Portugal to NATO

 

19 September | Auditorium of the Cultural and Youth Centre/Auditorium of Ramo Grande, Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, Azores

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Welcome

  • Michael Baum, Administrator of FLAD

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Conference

  • Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation

Coffee Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Ocean

  • Moderation: Rui Paiva, Público and Lusa
  • Ana Martins, University of the Azores
  • Renato Mendes, CoLAB +Atlantic, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP)
  • Catarina Garcia, 4Oceans, NOVA University Lisbon

2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Critical Infrastructure in the Atlantic: Interdependence and Strategic Potential

  • Moderator: Luciano Barcelos, Journalist
  • Laura Lisboa, Sciences Po, Paris
  • Tomé Ribeiro Gomes, University of Beira Interior

Coffee Break

4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Session with Winners of the Atlantic Security Award, Science Award ATLANTIC

4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | From the Atlantic to Space: Cooperation, Science, and Innovation

  • Moderator: Paula Gouveia, Açoriano Oriental
  • João Reis, Lusófona University, GOVCOPP, and RCM2+
  • Ricardo Conde, Portuguese Space Agency

5:30 p.m. | Closing Session

  • Nuno Morais Sarmento, President of FLAD
  • Marcos Perestrello, Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic
  • Pedro Catarino, Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of the Azores

9:30 p.m. AngraJazz Concert (open to the general public, upon collection of invitation at the Auditorium box office)