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Panama is emerging as a global hub for sustainability as it prepares to host 11 environmental summits and forums until 2027, most of them sponsored by the United Nations. The initiative demonstrates Panama’s leadership in environmental cooperation and climate diplomacy. Acting Environment Minister Óscar Vallarino confirmed that the country will play host to several international meetings leading up to COP17 in 2026, to be held in Yerevan, Armenia.
The first in the series will be the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) negotiations, scheduled for October 20–30, 2025. This key summit will gather international delegates, scientists, and indigenous representatives to finalize biodiversity goals before COP17.
Panama will also organize two Nature Summits, set for October 27–30 and December 1–3, creating platforms for civil society and the private sector to collaborate on conservation strategies and nature-based economies.
Additional UN-linked events include the 61st International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTC) session, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) General Assembly, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification review meetings. Each of these forums will attract environmental experts, NGOs, and policymakers to discuss sustainable forestry, reforestation, and desertification control.
The country will further host regional workshops by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) focused on green transition and sustainable tourism. These meetings will strengthen Panama’s position as a model for nature-based development in Latin America.
In 2027, Panama will reach its environmental milestone by hosting the World Congress on Protected and Conserved Areas, organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The event expects more than 10,000 attendees from governments, local communities, and scientific institutions.
Panama’s environmental achievements already set it apart globally—it is one of only three carbon-negative countriesalongside Bhutan and Suriname. The nation has expanded marine protected areas to over 93,000 square kilometers, surpassing the UN 30×30 conservation target and solidifying its status as a leader in environmental protection.
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