What is your assessment of this edition of the ICNF?

The final balance of ICNF2015 is extremely positive in all its aspects. From a scientific point of view, I think it was an excellent conference, having seen a significant improvement compared to the 2013 edition. Thus, it was possible to discuss topics of great relevance based on presentations of works carried out by top researchers in areas such as nanocellulose, biomimetics and ecocomposites. Also from a social point of view, despite the bad weather, the event proved to be quite interesting. Thus, from the Welcome Cocktail offered by the Ponta Delgada Chamber, to the Conference Gala Dinner, all moments were revealed as spaces for sharing feelings between the participants, contributing decisively to the strengthening of relationships, not just technical-scientific , but mostly personal. Also noteworthy is the high involvement of the official entities of the Azores, with particular emphasis on the Regional Government of the Azores, which was represented by two Regional Secretaries at two important moments of the conference, namely at the Opening Session and the Conference Gala Dinner. In this context, the Municipality of Ponta Delgada was also present at the highest level, through the direct involvement of its President at different moments of the event.

Can you say anything about the 2017 edition? The location, the theme?

As I stressed in the closing speech, ICNF2017 will be “somewhere in the world”. By this I mean that the location for the next edition has not yet been decided, since we received several expressions of interest from various partners to receive the organization of ICNF2017, mainly from Brazil, Poland, Australia and the United States. We will see. Of course, Portugal remains on our list of priorities. Regarding the theme, taking into account the general conclusions of the conference, I think that we will continue to touch on the topic of passing knowledge from universities to society, without forgetting the great societal challenges that we face, especially the sustainability of the planet.

Was holding the conference in the Azores a winning bet?

No doubt. I think the Azores, and in particular the island of S. Miguel, to be part of the international conference circuit. In this particular case, in which the theme is closely associated with sustainability and nature, there is nothing better than an island with green landscapes that will make you lose your breath to host an international event like ICNF2015. Participants' opinions about the location corroborate this opinion.

Finally, do you want to leave a message for the participants?

A word of thanks to everyone for having participated in yet another event organized by the FIBRENAMICS Platform of the University of Minho and, mainly, for having shared all their technical-scientific knowledge in this common space called ICNF2015, which is asserting itself internationally as the meeting point for all those interested in natural fibers. Of course I hope to see you again at ICNF2017…. Somewhere in the world. I take this opportunity to thank the fantastic work carried out by the FIBRENAMICS Team, which from the first moment, under the leadership of Carlos Almeida, knew how to provide the participants with the necessary conditions for an excellent stay in the Azores.