Pará Municipal Pavilion at COP30 Reinforces Regional Protagonism and Gastronomy
The space serves as a living showcase of the territories and attracts a large audience
The first day of the Pará Municipal Pavilion, within the COP30 program, on Monday (17), highlighted the protagonism of the state's climate, tourism, and cultural agenda. The space welcomed public managers, specialists, tourism professionals, community representatives, and general visitors.
The pavilion was conceived as a living showcase of the territories and attracted a large audience right from the start of the program. The Secretary of Tourism of Pará, Eduardo Costa, emphasized that the first day symbolized the beginning of a cycle of opportunities for the state's cities. "We are living a historic moment. COP30 brings together perspectives from all over the world, and Pará is ready to present the best of each region. Our municipalities are prepared to showcase their strength, cultures, and vocations," he stated.
The program was opened with the Tapajonic Show Class led by chef Saulo Jennings from Santarém. The presentation highlighted the richness of the ingredients from Lower Amazon and the importance of Pará's cuisine as a tool for international projection. During the class, Saulo reinforced the role of gastronomy as a cultural bridge between Pará and the world.
"The gastronomy of Pará is a path of gastrodiplomacy. When we showcase our ingredients, we show who we are, our culture, our forest, and the way we relate to it," he stated. He also reminded that Amazonian cuisine translates territory, memory, and identity "in every dish, in every aroma, in every ingredient that crosses generations."
The chef highlighted regional products, reinforcing the sensory and affective character of Pará's cuisine as a tool for promoting and visibility of local culture. "When maniçoba, roasted fish, and flour come, we need to remember that this is gastronomy, it is haute cuisine. But we need to empower ourselves with this culture. It is our origin. And if we know how to place it in the market sustainably, it generates jobs, income, and development," Saulo stated.
The technical program of the first day brought together municipal managers, exhibitors, and representatives of public institutions in panels that discussed governance, territorial innovation, sustainable tourism, and the preparation of municipalities for COP30. The Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, emphasized that COP30 represents a concrete opportunity for transformation.
"Pará is experiencing a unique moment. The protagonism of the municipalities is decisive to ensure lasting results. We are building structural policies that will benefit the state before, during, and after COP30," the minister stated, highlighting the importance of strengthening local capacities and expanding cooperation between government spheres.
The minister commented on integrated regional development, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, infrastructure, and Amazonian valorization. "You need to be heard and respected. It is from the cities that solutions for the planet will emerge. Therefore, I call on mayors and leaders: let’s together pressure, participate, and occupy this space. The voice of the territories needs to be present in this and all COPs," said Jader Filho.
In the afternoon, chef Arturo Báez officially inaugurated the Cozinha Show space, opening the gastronomic arena with the preparation of one of the most emblematic dishes of Amazonian cuisine: pirarucu de casaca. According to him, the choice of the dish symbolized not only tradition but also socio-environmental responsibility.
"The pirarucu speaks of our riverside history. It is culture, it is sustainability, it is serving with responsibility. I am sure that if they are enchanted by the pirarucu, the banana-da-terra, and the farofinha de castanha. An experience that embraces," he declared.
The chef also commented on his role as a promoter of Amazonian flavors at national and international events. "Gastronomy is a fundamental element of culture. This moment here at COP30 is a harvest because the planting has already been done. We have traveled Brazil and the world bringing our flavors, and being here is a huge honor," he added.
The municipal secretary of tourism of Santarém, Emanuel Júlio, emphasized the importance of the municipality occupying a space of global visibility. For him, the presence at the Pará Municipal Pavilion reaffirmed the historical and cultural strength of the region.
"We are here to mark territory. Pará is here, Brazil is here, the world is here. So, we need to show who we really are," he stated. Emanuel also highlighted the elements brought to the pavilion, representing the diversity of Santarém: "We brought painted and embroidered bowls, Tapajonic ceramics, wooden crafts, books, paintings by local authors, a set that expresses our culture and our tourism."
The manager recalled the importance of presenting the natural wealth of the Tapajós and Arapiuns regions, in addition to reinforcing that Santarém gathers unique historical heritage. "It is a city that can establish itself as the oldest in Brazil. We are a municipality with 360,000 inhabitants and we are increasingly gaining importance in the western region of Pará," he concluded.
The first day also offered the present audience cultural performances such as the Dance Group Filhos de Aurora (from Aurora do Pará), Boi de Máscaras Vaca Velha (from São Caetano de Odivelas), Marujada de Bragança, and the Carlos Gomes Choir.
