The third meeting of the Board of Directors of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) for 2013-2015 was held on May 28 and 29, 2015 in Angra do Heroismo, Azores, Portugal. Seven cities elected to the Board of Directors of the OWHC for 2013-2015 were present, with the Vice-President and Treasurer and Mayor of Valparaiso, Chile, Mr. Jorge Castro Muñoz, chairing the meeting.   

In addition to the updates of the ongoing OWHC projects and programs and the customary administrative issues, the members of the Board reflected on the future course of the Organization and the means for its better promotion. In that sense, the Directors considered the role that each of the bodies within the OWHC’s organizational structure could play in achieving a greater relevance and benefit for its member cities. The Mayor of Arequipa, Peru, Dr. Alfredo Zegarra Tejada, was also present and gave a progress report on the preparations for the next World Congress of the OWHC to be held in his City from November 3 to 6 2015.

During their stay, the members of the Board had the exceptional opportunity to explore and admire the richness and high level of conservation of the built heritage in the City of Angra do Heroismo with the traditions that make up its intangible heritage, the natural beauty of the island of Terceira with its outstanding sites and last but not least its wealth of produce which is a crucial factor in the island’s gastronomic excellence.  

The OWHC wishes to thank the Mayor of Angra do Heroismo, Mr. José Gabriel do Álamo de Meneses, for his generous hospitality as well as the Deputy Mayor, Mrs. Raquel Caetano Ferreira, for her impeccable organization of the meeting.