The Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has won three awards at the international World Expolympics competition, organised by the Experiential Design Authority (TEDA). The pavilion received Gold in the Best Thematic Concept category for the theme "Ocean, the Blue Dialogue," which highlighted ocean preservation, environmental awareness, and global responsibility.
Portugal also earned Bronze in Best Exterior Architecture and Presentation and 4th place in the Best Medium Pavilion and Best Mascot categories.
The theme "Ocean, the Blue Dialogue" presents Portugal as a country closely connected to the sea, evoking nearly 500 years of relations with Japan. Portugal's participation in Expo 2025 continues the tradition started at Expo 98, when the country first placed oceans on the global political agenda. With an innovative approach and a forward-looking vision, the pavilion addresses sustainability challenges, in line with the Expo's theme: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
Portugal also earned Bronze in Best Exterior Architecture and Presentation and 4th place in the Best Medium Pavilion and Best Mascot categories.
The theme "Ocean, the Blue Dialogue" presents Portugal as a country closely connected to the sea, evoking nearly 500 years of relations with Japan. Portugal's participation in Expo 2025 continues the tradition started at Expo 98, when the country first placed oceans on the global political agenda. With an innovative approach and a forward-looking vision, the pavilion addresses sustainability challenges, in line with the Expo's theme: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, stated: "Portugal strategically chose the Ocean as the central theme of its participation at Expo 2025 Osaka. These awards now recognise that we have a clear response to global sustainability challenges through innovation and forward-thinking vision."
For Madalena Oliveira e Silva, President of AICEP, the agency responsible for organising and executing Portugal's participation, "the international recognition of the Portugal Pavilion demonstrates that investing in innovation and sustainability produces tangible results for the country's image and economy. These awards show that we are successfully projecting our identity and sectors of excellence to the world."
Joana Gomes Cardoso, Commissioner-General of the Portugal Pavilion, added: "We are extremely proud of these awards, which validate the success of our mission and highlight the importance of protecting and valuing the oceans."
For Madalena Oliveira e Silva, President of AICEP, the agency responsible for organising and executing Portugal's participation, "the international recognition of the Portugal Pavilion demonstrates that investing in innovation and sustainability produces tangible results for the country's image and economy. These awards show that we are successfully projecting our identity and sectors of excellence to the world."
Joana Gomes Cardoso, Commissioner-General of the Portugal Pavilion, added: "We are extremely proud of these awards, which validate the success of our mission and highlight the importance of protecting and valuing the oceans."
Known as the "Olympics of Experiential Design," the competition rewards the best examples of creativity, innovation, and experiential design at the Expo. Winners were announced during a special ceremony at the USA Pavilion.
The Portugal Pavilion, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, features suspended ropes and recycled nets, creating a timeless effect exposed to natural elements such as sun and wind. Since its opening, it has attracted approximately 2 million visitors, involved over 460 entities, hosted more than 360 events, and welcomed prominent figures including António Guterres, António Costa, and, most recently, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Strategic partners such as the Oceanário de Lisboa and the Oceano Azul Foundation have been involved from the early stages of pavilion development, contributing to content, programming, and events such as Japan's National Ocean Day.
Portugal's mascot, Umi, a seahorse symbolising the historic link between Portugal and Japan, was recognised as one of the Expo's best mascots.
The Portugal Pavilion, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, features suspended ropes and recycled nets, creating a timeless effect exposed to natural elements such as sun and wind. Since its opening, it has attracted approximately 2 million visitors, involved over 460 entities, hosted more than 360 events, and welcomed prominent figures including António Guterres, António Costa, and, most recently, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Strategic partners such as the Oceanário de Lisboa and the Oceano Azul Foundation have been involved from the early stages of pavilion development, contributing to content, programming, and events such as Japan's National Ocean Day.
Portugal's mascot, Umi, a seahorse symbolising the historic link between Portugal and Japan, was recognised as one of the Expo's best mascots.
