The project, financed by Itaipu, is part of the Brazilian government’s investments in preparations for COP30, which will be held next November
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva inaugurated on Thursday (2), in Belém, the Nova Doca Linear Park, a project that is part of the set of investments by Itaipu Binacional and the Government of Brazil in preparation for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in the capital of Pará from November 10 to 21.
During the inauguration ceremony, the president praised the efforts made to host COP30. In response to criticisms regarding the selection of Belém as the host city, he drew a comparison with past major events like the Olympics and the World Cup, which, despite skepticism at the time, proved to be positive international showcases for Brazil and left a lasting legacy for the population. “It will be no different with Belém,” Lula assured.
He also defended Itaipu’s investments, which total around R$1.3 billion in the capital of Pará. “Itaipu belongs to the Brazilian people. Pará also has the right to receive investments from Itaipu, such as the Nova Doca Linear Park— a project that even many wealthy countries don’t have anything comparable to,” the president added.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several high-profile figures, including the Brazilian general director of Itaipu, Enio Verri; the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho; the mayor of Belém, Igor Normando; the secretary of the Special Secretariat for COP30 (Secop), Walter Correia da Silva; the president of COP30, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago; and ministers Celso Sabino (Tourism), Rui Costa (Chief of Staff), Jader Barbalho Filho (Cities), as well as the presidents of Caixa Econômica Federal, Carlos Vieira; BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante; and Banco da Amazônia, Luiz Cláudio Lessa, among other authorities.
“Itaipu is not just a partner of the Brazilian government in organizing COP30. It is here to show the world that we are a reference in clean, affordable energy production—energy that respects human life and serves as a powerful tool for economic development and social inclusion,” said Enio Verri.
Nova Doca
The project generated more than 3,000 jobs and is the result of a partnership between Itaipu and the State of Paraná, with a R$312 million investment from the binational entity. The inauguration includes the 1.2 km-long linear park, featuring various leisure spaces and amenities, landscaping, a bike lane, five kiosks, and other improvements along the Doca Canal on Avenida Visconde de Souza Franco.
One interesting aspect of the project was the discovery of a 20-meter-long metal vessel from the 19th century during excavation works. The artifact, part of Belém’s history, has been restored and is now on display beside the park. The revitalization also emphasizes environmental care, including the planting of 180 trees and the installation of
phytoremediation structures—floating islands with plants that, in addition to their aesthetic function, help decompose organic matter and clean the canal’s water.
Investments also covered improvements to the region’s sanitation infrastructure, including micro and macro-drainage. “Before, this was just a canal with sidewalks on the sides. When it rained and the tide rose, the area would flood. I hope that’s solved now,” said dentist Décio Gomes Moreira, a neighborhood resident who visited the park with his granddaughter Sofia even before the official opening. “Nova Doca gave us a new leisure option, especially for the kids. It’s very rewarding to see such a grand project and the benefits it brings to the community,” he added.
President’s Itinerary
The inauguration was part of President Lula’s itinerary to visit COP-related projects. It also included a visit to the Una Sewage Treatment Plant (ETE Una). On Friday (October 3), the president is scheduled to visit the Canal da União project site, the Museum of the Amazons, the Gastronomic Center, and the Bioeconomy and Innovation Park at Porto Futuro II.
Lula’s visit to Belém was preceded by a press conference featuring COP30 project director (from Secop) Olmo Borges Xavier; the state secretary of Infrastructure and Logistics, Adler Silveira; the deputy secretary of Science and Technology for the Amazon (from the Ministry of Science and Technology), Dorival da Costa dos Santos; and Itaipu’s Coordination Director, Carlos Carboni.
According to Olmo Xavier, preparations for COP30 involve R$4.2 billion in investments (from Itaipu, BNDES, and the federal budget). He emphasized the legacy these works will leave for the people of Belém, especially the 14 macro-drainage channels under construction—two of which (Nova Doca and São Joaquim) are funded by Itaipu and will benefit around 500,000 residents.
It’s also worth noting that, of the 30 ongoing projects, most are over 90% complete and will be ready in time for the conference. Carboni detailed Itaipu’s investments in partnership with the state and city governments, which include projects like the construction of the Vila Líderes complex, street paving, revitalization of the Outeiro Port, renovation of the São Brás Market and the Ver-o-Peso Complex, training 2,000 public school teachers in environmental education, and supporting four waste picker cooperatives in Belém to help structure selective waste collection.
“Itaipu is one of the companies with the lowest energy costs in the country. Beyond providing affordable electricity, it is committed to investing in innovation, technology, and financing actions that promote sustainable development. The Amazon, through the flying rivers, plays a fundamental role in hydroelectric generation in Brazil—including at Itaipu. That’s why it is strategic for the company to be here, partnering with the governments of Brazil, Pará, and Belém, in the realization of COP30,” he concluded.
