The Madeira Global Forum 2025, held at the Madeira Congress Center on July 24, has established itself as one of the main spaces for reflection on the future of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, bringing together political leaders, academics and experts around the theme “Autonomy: Identity and Development”. The event, organized by the Regional Directorate for Communities and External Cooperation, has a tradition of promoting debate on Madeira’s challenges and opportunities, both in the national and international context, reinforcing its unique identity and the link with Madeiran communities around the world.
Highlights of this year’s edition included the participation of the Chairman of the Board of OVIA and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador António Martins da Cruz. As part of the round table “Identity and Development”, moderated by Gil Rosa, Ambassador António Martins da Cruz shared his vast diplomatic experience, underlining the strategic role of the Madeiran diaspora as an engine for economic and cultural development.
He also stressed the importance of public policies that value Madeira’s autonomy, combining tradition and innovation, and reinforced the need to strengthen relations with Portuguese communities abroad.
The Forum also witnessed the launch of the book “Diaspora – The Bridges that Unite Madeira to the World”, a work that reflects Madeira’s historical and emotional connection with its global communities, a central theme in the career of the Chairman of the Board of OVIA. The closing ceremony included a musical moment and a cocktail at Quinta Vigia, celebrating the links between Madeira and the world.
OVIA’s participation in this renowned event thus reinforced the relevance of the Madeira Global Forum as a platform for strategic dialog, highlighting autonomy and the diaspora as fundamental pillars for the region’s sustainable development. The event once again reaffirmed its historic role in promoting Madeira as a globally connected territory with a unique identity.
