On November 11, in Belém, Brazil, Ukraine unveiled its National Pavilion at COP30 under the symbolic title “Time Capsule.”
High-level guests, including representatives of foreign governments and international organizations, attended the opening ceremony. Among them were Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development; Ciyun Zou, Deputy Director General of UNIDO’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development; and Oleg Vlasenko, Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Brazil.
In a video address, Oleksii Soboliev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, emphasized that the pavilion is more than just an exhibition space — it is the voice of a wounded but unbreakable nation. It is a space for dialogue about the future, where war does not defeat nature, and destruction becomes the starting point for building a cleaner and more just world.
“Our pavilion reflects the impact of Russian aggression. Yet even in these darkest times, Ukraine remains a reliable partner in global efforts to combat climate change. We are on the path to climate neutrality and continue to fulfill all our international obligations. We align our climate policy with the highest standards of the European Union, because our European path is irreversible,” Soboliev stated.
The Ukraine Pavilion at COP30 tells the central story of our country: despite the war, life goes on, nature recovers, and people continue to create and seek solutions for the future.
Ville Tavio affirmed:
“Finland stands with Ukraine, helping it remain resilient and rebuild its economy. We are assisting in assessing the damage caused by the war — and once those figures are determined, Russia must pay for the destruction. Glory to Ukraine!”
The symbolic name “Time Capsule” invites visitors to reflect on the contrast between Ukraine’s pre-war nature and the landscapes affected by war, to consider global challenges, and to learn how Ukraine continues to grow even under extreme conditions.
The exhibition explores themes of global importance, including food security, wartime climate policy, biodiversity, energy independence, and green recovery. Amid global attention to tropical forests, Ukraine presents its own example — a country restoring its ecosystems even during war, treating nature as the foundation for reconstruction.
The Serebriansky Forest, destroyed by war, damaged fields, and a bird’s nest woven from fiber-optic cable serve as reminders of the wounds inflicted by conflict. In contrast, stories of renewable energy and community-led projects highlight Ukraine’s achievements in recovery.
One of the key elements of the installation is the digital project Winds of Freedom, where visitors can explore Ukraine’s forests and the development of wind energy.
The pavilion journey concludes with an invitation to leave a prediction for the future in the Time Capsule, which will be preserved and opened at COP35.
Blending art, science, and human stories, the Ukraine Pavilion speaks to the power of life that triumphs even in the hardest times.
“The Ukraine Pavilion at COP30 tells a story of choice, resilience, and renewal. We invite the world to witness how a nation rebuilding amid war is also reimagining the future of clean energy, sustainable development, and human responsibility,” said Svitlana Sushko, Head of the Reform and Recovery Support Team at the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture (Environmental Subteam).
Throughout COP30, the Ukrainian delegation will hold a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of other countries. More than 35 events and discussions will take place in the Ukraine Pavilion, focused on Ukraine’s approach to green recovery, climate resilience, international cooperation, renewable energy, sustainable finance, and the role of communities, women, and youth in rebuilding.
Participants will include government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, scientists, foreign partners, and experts from international organizations.
