panama
a committed concern towards climate change The Republic of Panama and the Kingdom of the Netherlands share a mutually beneficial long-standing diplomatic relationship. The countries are obvious partners considering the highly developed logistics platforms permitting each country to develop as an enviable air, land, and maritime hub in their respective region.
A
BY H.E. MS. ELIZABETH WARD NEIMAN, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
Amongst other related interests, both countries share a committed concern towards climate change and its devastating effects on our planet. Panama recently signed a decree that protects the Coiba Ridge and triples the Cordillera de Coiba marine protected area. With this, Panama is nine years ahead of the 30% by 2030 goals (30 x 30) and becomes a Blue Leader as a country that protects 30% or more of its oceans.This a true sustainable achievement! In addition to this, Panama is one of only three CO2 negative countries in the world and continues its efforts of protection and reforestation. Although severely affected economically due to the COVID pandemic, by mid-October, Panama achieved a remarkable 75% vaccination rate and expects to reach 80% by November. This contributes to our projected recovery, along with the newly created investment incentives as well as opening our tourism sector. Regarding the tourism sector, we encourage you to experience the exuberant beauty of Panama first hand, immersing in the sensations of its diverse flora and fauna, history, culture, gastronomy, and people. In the meantime, our Embassy events offer a mere glimpse of our diverse culture and beauty. In the context of this year’s Bicentennial 36 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS
WE HAVE ACHIEVED COOPERATIVE EFFORTS IN MULTIPLE AREAS AND PERSEVERE IN EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES celebration of our independence from Spain on November 28th, 1821, we have hosted multiple cultural events. In a presentation conducted by folklorist Sergia Pinzon, we highlighted the pollera, our internationally recognized traditional costume; another event in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes disclosed the new edition of ‘Diccionario del Español en Panama’ (Panama’s Spanish Dictionary) with our invited guest and author, Dra. MargaritaVásquez. We are also supporting an event focusing a talented Panamanian
Codarts’ dancer, José Garrido, and the hosting of ‘Sinfonía en la Mesa’ (Symphony at the Table). This last event is a culinary and musical delight as we bring a Panamanian chef from Amsterdam, Roberto Torres, to prepare the delicacies, and have counted on unconditional support from Henk van der Meulen, the director of the Koninklijk Conservatorium, for the musical component. Panama is one of nine regional countries that co-hosts several other cultural events encompassed within the celebration of our Bicentennial Independence from Spain. These begin with a cycle of conferences with recognized historians, with the likes of Dr. Omar Jaén Suárez, Panama’s guest speaker; continue with the exhibition of our national symbols and culminate with a concert in the newly built Royal Conservatoire The Hague, delighting the audience with a selection of pieces representative of each country. With support from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have achieved cooperative efforts in multiple areas and persevere in exploring new opportunities. Through our bilateral relations, we continue to strengthen the bridge that joins Panama and The Netherlands as well as participating actively within the multilateral organizations.
