The Secretary-General of the UCCLA, Luis Álvaro Campos Ferreira, received the insignia of the Order and expressed “profound gratitude” for this recognition, reinforcing the commitment to continue strengthening the Portuguese language and culture in the Lusophone world, as stated by an organization note.
This distinction highlights the value of UCCLA “in promoting ties between member cities, urban cooperation projects, and cultural, educational, and sustainable development initiatives within the Lusophone community,” it adds.
After the decoration ceremony held at the Palácio de Belém, a UCCLA note mentioned that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized the importance of the founder, Nuno Krus Abecasis, and his inspiration in creating the institution, uniting capitals, cities, and peoples.
The UCCLA “has done very important work” over its 40 years, underscored the Portuguese President.
The decoration ceremony was attended by the Ambassadors of Angola and Timor-Leste, the former Secretary-General of UCCLA, Vitor Ramalho, representatives of cities and companies that are part of the organization, as well as all the institution’s collaborators.
The Order of Camões, regulated and integrated into the framework of the other Portuguese Honorary Orders in 2021, aims to distinguish entities or individuals who have rendered “relevant services to the Portuguese language and its projection in the world and the strengthening of cultural relations between peoples and communities that express themselves in Portuguese,” in addition to “relevant services for the conservation of the ties of Portuguese communities with Portugal”.
