Souto de Moura Signs Portugal's Representation at COP30
Eduardo Souto de Moura, the renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect, has been selected to design Portugal's national pavilion for the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference. This marks the first time Portugal will have a custom-designed pavilion at this prestigious global event.
The project emerges from a strategic partnership between Casa da Arquitectura - where Souto de Moura serves as Honorary Associate - and the Ministry of Environment and Energy. This collaboration recognizes architecture as a strategic national asset essential not only for promoting Portugal's image but also as a crucial tool in combating the climate crisis and driving the energy and environmental transition.
Pavilion Features and Design
The 150-square meter pavilion will feature two facades and include:
- Auditorium zone for presentations and discussions
- Networking area for international connections
- Technical support zone for operations
- LED wall for visual communication, displaying a video produced by Casa da Arquitectura
The space will be complemented with custom furniture designed by architectural legends Álvaro Siza and Souto de Moura, reinforcing the value of Portuguese architectural creation and authors.
Historical Significance and Timeline
Souto de Moura emphasized that this project stands out from typical state commissions: "This project gave me pleasure to create, both in conception and execution, because it was done in appropriate timeframes so the result has the quality it deserves."
The conference holds special significance as it:
- Takes place in a Portuguese-speaking country (Belém do Pará, Brazil) for the first time
- Coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement
- Marks 20 years since the Kyoto Protocol came into effect
The COP30 conference runs from November 10-21, 2025, positioning Portugal at the forefront of climate dialogue through architectural excellence.
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