From 20 to 22 July, the Oceano Azul Foundation and Oceanário de Lisboa will curate the Ocean Made Room and the programme of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, in an agenda that symbolically coincides with Japan’s National Sea Day.
Entirely dedicated to the ocean, the Portugal Pavilion stands out as the only national pavilion with a programme entirely centred on this theme. It reinforces Portugal’s leadership in marine conservation and the sustainable development of ocean resources, while highlighting the strategic role of the Oceano Azul Foundation and Oceanário de Lisboa in ocean protection.
Entirely dedicated to the ocean, the Portugal Pavilion stands out as the only national pavilion with a programme entirely centred on this theme. It reinforces Portugal’s leadership in marine conservation and the sustainable development of ocean resources, while highlighting the strategic role of the Oceano Azul Foundation and Oceanário de Lisboa in ocean protection.
Oceano Azul Foundation_Pedro Pina @ UNOC3
Under the theme “Ocean, the Blue Dialogue”, the Portugal Pavilion promotes the vital importance of the ocean for the planet’s sustainability, as well as its role in culture, tourism, and the blue economy. The Oceano Azul Foundation was invited by the Portuguese Government to curate the pavilion’s programming during these three days in July, continuing its leading role following the recent United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, France, in June.
During their presence in Osaka, the Oceano Azul Foundation will present its contributions to the outcomes of UNOC3; projects supporting the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas, including scientific expeditions; initiatives related to the blue economy, showcasing—together with the BLUEBIO ALLIANCE—how innovation can generate sustainable solutions from marine resources; and ocean literacy projects, led by Oceanário de Lisboa, with special emphasis on the global Mini 30x30 movement, which calls for the protection of 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
During their presence in Osaka, the Oceano Azul Foundation will present its contributions to the outcomes of UNOC3; projects supporting the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas, including scientific expeditions; initiatives related to the blue economy, showcasing—together with the BLUEBIO ALLIANCE—how innovation can generate sustainable solutions from marine resources; and ocean literacy projects, led by Oceanário de Lisboa, with special emphasis on the global Mini 30x30 movement, which calls for the protection of 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
Oceano Azul Foundation_Pedro Pina @ UNOC3
The agenda also includes participation in the celebration of Japan’s National Sea Day on 21 July, with involvement in an international conference at the Expo’s Ocean Dome, organised by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the hosting of the conference “New Ocean Wave” at the Portugal Pavilion, featuring contributions from Peter Thomson, Masanori Kobayashi (Sasakawa Peace Foundation), and Tiago Pitta e Cunha, CEO of the Oceano Azul Foundation. Following the conference, a reception will be held to celebrate recent advances in ocean conservation, both in Portugal and internationally.
Oceanário de Lisboa will also present a strong educational component, allowing visitors to the Portugal Pavilion to engage with interactive games on Marine Protected Areas and vote on their benefits; sign the open letter of the Mini 30x30 initiative; and experience virtual reality through two immersive videos: a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium and a dive at the Gorringe Seamount aboard the historic sailing ship Santa Maria Manuela, as part of the 2024 Oceano Azul scientific expedition, which played a decisive role in advancing the protection of this marine area.
Oceanário de Lisboa will also present a strong educational component, allowing visitors to the Portugal Pavilion to engage with interactive games on Marine Protected Areas and vote on their benefits; sign the open letter of the Mini 30x30 initiative; and experience virtual reality through two immersive videos: a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium and a dive at the Gorringe Seamount aboard the historic sailing ship Santa Maria Manuela, as part of the 2024 Oceano Azul scientific expedition, which played a decisive role in advancing the protection of this marine area.
Oceano Azul Foundation_Pedro Pina @ UNOC3
Oceanário de Lisboa’s participation marks its return to a World Expo 27 years after Expo 1998 in Lisbon, which was dedicated to the theme “The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future”. Interestingly, Osaka’s Kaiyukan aquarium was designed by Peter Chermayeff, the same architect behind Oceanário de Lisboa.
Portugal’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is organised by AICEP – the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency.
Portugal’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is organised by AICEP – the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency.
