AIR Centre to present Global South Scientific Cooperation at Ciência2025

The AIR Centre will participate in Ciência2025, Portugal's flagship science and innovation gathering, with two sessions on the final day of the event (July 11): "Scientific Cooperation with the Global South" and "The Portuguese Seas - Science towards public policies."

"Scientific Cooperation with the Global South" will explore how Portuguese scientific cooperation with Central and Southern Atlantic countries has significantly strengthened over the past decade. The session will showcase ongoing initiatives involving researcher mobility, joint research projects, and collaborative innovation programs that are reshaping the landscape of international scientific cooperation.

This scientific cooperation has profoundly influenced knowledge development while positioning the Portuguese scientific community as a key contributor to the extraordinary advances in science and innovation occurring across the global south. The session will examine both current successes and upcoming challenges in these strategic partnerships.

The session will be moderated by Mafalda Carapuço (AIR Centre's Deputy Executive Director) and will feature distinguished speakers presenting groundbreaking collaborative projects:

• Ester Serrão (CCMAR, University of Algarve): "MarAfrica Biodiversity Program in West Africa"
• Nuno Ferrand (CIBIO, University of Porto): "Twin Labs in Africa: a major conservation initiative"
• Cristina Máguas (CE2C, University of Lisbon): "Bridging apiculture and miombo forest conservation, in Mozambique"
• Régis Santos (OKEANOS, University of the Azores): "Upgrading fisheries management in Angola to protect the Ocean Health"
• Mário Pimenta (LIP, University of Lisbon): "Astro-particles in the Atacama Desert, Chile"
• Nuno Mendonça (Vice-Rector, University of Coimbra): "Networking Universities and Promoting Innovation in Southern America"

The second session, "The Portuguese Seas - Science towards public policies," will be moderated by Miguel Miranda (AIR Centre's Executive Director). Portugal has one of the largest maritime areas in Europe, corresponding to about 10% of the surface of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, which gives it added responsibilities in management and conservation. This session aims to discuss the role of research units, associated laboratories, and state laboratories in developing public policies to address current challenges related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the blue economy. Particular importance will be placed on the multidisciplinary methodologies used to tackle various case scenarios.

The session will be organized in a panel format, with the first 30-40 minutes devoted to presenting case scenarios, followed by a debate period featuring interventions from representatives of various relevant national centres and institutes. Featured speakers include:

• Filipe Castro, CIIMAR/CIMAR LA . Dos Invertebrados à Aquacultura Sustentável: as Perguntas e o Acaso
• Marisa Almeida, CIIMAR/CIMAR LA. Prevenir, Evitar e Mitigar o lixo produzido pelo setor pesqueiro: o projeto NETTAG+
• José Lino Costa, MARE/LA ARNET. Rede Portuguesa de Monitorização Costeira (Coastnet) / (Portuguese Coastal Monitoring Network (Coastnet) )
• Sofia Duarte, CBMA/LA ARNET. Tecnologias de ADN na monitorização das pescas / (DNA based approaches for fish monitoring and management)
• André Pacheco, CIMA/LA ARNET. O contributo da iniciativa Culatra2030 para a sustentabilidade das comunidades costeiras / (The contribution of the Culatra2030 initiative to the sustainability of coastal communities)
• Telmo Morato, OKEANUS. Conservação do mar profundo / Deep Sea Conservation
• Amadeu Soares, CESAM LA. O CESAM e Políticas Públicas sobre o MAR/ CESAM and Public Policies towards the Sea
• Mafalda Rangel, CCMAR/CIMAR LA, A co-gestão da pesca do polvo no algarve/ The co-management of the Algarve octopus fishery

Taking place July 9-11, 2025, at NOVA School of Business and Economics in Carcavelos, Lisbon, Ciência2025 operates under the theme "Science, Innovation and Society." The event serves as a comprehensive dialogue platform across all scientific disciplines, bringing together Portugal's entire research and innovation community.

This year's edition will feature over 40 sessions, 150 speakers, and an expected audience with more than 2,000 participants. Throughout the three-day event, Ciência2025 will provide a privileged forum for showcasing and reflecting on the scientific, social, cultural, and economic impact of research in Portugal, exploring the dynamic interface between science, innovation, and society. Ciência2025 is organized by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture – CIÊNCIA VIVA, in close collaboration with NOVA University Lisbon and with institutional support from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation.