Water connects and unites – for the first time, water will be physically and thematically embedded alongside the systems it connects and sustains at COP30

For the first time in COP history, water will be physically and thematically integrated with the systems it connects and sustains. At COP30 in Belém, the Water for Climate Pavilion, coordinated by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), will help lead the creation of the Neighbourhood of the Mutirão for Cities, Water and Infrastructure – a first-of-its-kind collaborative space in the UNFCCC Blue Zone.

The neighbourhood brings together four interconnected pavilions – the Cities & Regions Hub, Buildings & Cooling Pavilion, Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Pavilion, and the Water for Climate Pavilion – forming a dynamic area for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue. Together, they will highlight how water connects cities, infrastructure and communities, enabling resilience and accelerating climate action across sectors.

Co-hosted by Brazil’s Ministry of Cities (MCid) and the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR), the initiative responds to the COP30 Presidency’s call for a Global Mutirão – a collective effort inspired by the spirit of the Amazon. It reflects Brazil’s commitment to inclusive climate solutions and multilevel governance, aligning with the Global Climate Action Agenda and the UAE–Belém Work Programme on adaptation indicators.

“This collaboration marks a major step in bringing water to the centre of climate action,” said Thomas Rebermark, Chair of the Water for Climate Pavilion and Director of Swedish Water House and International Policy at SIWI. “By joining forces with global partners, we are demonstrating that water underpins the resilience of cities, infrastructure, and communities. The Mutirão is a living example of how partnerships can drive real solutions on the ground.”

“Climate change is first felt through water – but it is also where solutions begin,” said Ivan Sjögren, Programme Officer, International Policy at SIWI. “The Water for Climate Pavilion brings together governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, and the private sector to show how water connects people, planet, and the economy. At COP30, we will showcase our shared commitment to advancing science-based, cross-sectoral water strategies that accelerate climate action across all levels.”

The neighbourhood will be inaugurated by Brazil’s Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, at the start of the conference. Throughout COP30, the Water for Climate Pavilion will host a series of Mutirão Dialogues, uniting governments, city networks, development banks, researchers, and civil society to co-develop practical pathways for climate-resilient cities.

The Neighbourhood of the Mutirão for Cities, Water and Infrastructure will be located in the COP30 Blue Zone in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025, serving as a hub for collaboration, partnerships, and dialogue at every level of climate action.