Lula Signs Law Temporarily Designating Belém As Brazil’s Capital
By ABr
On Tuesday (Nov. 4), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law a bill temporarily transferring Brazil’s capital from Brasília to Belém, in the state of Pará. The change will be in effect during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), from November 11 to 21, 2025. The proposal was approved by the National Congress, and Law 15,251 was published in the Federal Official Gazette.
According to the government, the temporary transfer is symbolic and political in nature, and “reinforces the relevance of the Amazon on the international environmental agenda,” while also highlighting the country’s commitment to global climate issues.
All acts and orders issued during this period, including those of the President of Brazil and his ministers, will be registered in the capital of Pará. During this time, the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches may establish themselves in the city of Belém to carry out their institutional and governmental activities.
A similar case occurred in 1992, when the federal capital was temporarily transferred to Rio de Janeiro during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio-92).
