The Portuguese Diaspora Council held its 2025 Summer Meeting at the Cidadela Palace in Cascais, reviewing key initiatives, setting future priorities, and celebrating the strengthening of Portugal’s global connections.

On July 17, the Portuguese Diaspora Council held its 2025 Summer Meeting at the Cidadela Palace in Cascais, with the support of the Cascais City Council and the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic. The event served as a strategic review of initiatives and projects developed during the first half of the year, as well as an opportunity to define priorities for the months ahead.

During the meeting, several initiatives aimed at bringing Portugal closer to the world, and the world closer to Portugal, were presented. These included the Regional Hubs and Competence Centers, which energize the diaspora network through local projects and strategic recommendations; institutional alignment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AICEP, reinforcing partnerships such as INOV Contacto and the youth mentoring program; and efforts in e-commerce and internationalization to support Portuguese companies in accessing new markets. The integration of new young diaspora talent was also highlighted, along with the launch of a new season of the LusoLab podcast, supported by MEO, and the pioneering U.S. Friends of Portuguese Universities initiative, which has already attracted foreign investment to Portugal’s higher education sector.

As part of the Council’s Summer Meeting, the President of the Republic decorated António Calçada de Sá, President of the Board of the Portuguese Diaspora Council, with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, in recognition of his commitment and exceptional contribution to strengthening ties between Portugal and Portuguese communities abroad. The distinction not only honours António Calçada de Sá’s personal and professional achievements but also reflects the essential role the Diaspora Council plays in promoting Portugal’s image worldwide, connecting with its global elites, and driving strategic projects for the country’s future.

The meeting concluded with a cocktail and dinner, featuring a special address by Dr. Paulo Portas, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of the current geopolitical landscape and highlighted the transformative role of the Portuguese diaspora in enhancing the country’s international presence.