Strengthening governance for the management of marine-coastal biodiversity in the Gulf of Chiriquí

On 7 January, the European Union Ambassador to Panama, H.E. Izabela Matusz, Wetlands International, the Ministry of Environment and other local authorities met in David, Chiriquí to present the results of the project entitled 'Strengthening governance for the management of marine-coastal biodiversity through public policies and capacity building of civil society organisations in the Gulf of Chiriquíuí'. The closing event was attended by more than 50 people from the Ministry of Environment, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP), the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama (IDIAP), the OBC Lirios del Manglar, the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (UNACHI) and young leaders.

Environmental importance and challenges in the Gulf of Chiriqui

Panama is home to one of the most important extensions of mangrove forest in the western Pacific. The Gulf of Chiriqui is part of a key corridor for the conservation of marine-coastal biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem goods and services. In addition, rural and urban communities depend on these resources for artisanal fishing, shellfish harvesting and sustainable mangrove forest use.

However, this area has faced pressures associated with agricultural and urban expansion, mangrove logging, overfishing and pollution, aggravated by vulnerability to climate change and weaknesses in governance and institutional and community capacities.

The project

In this context, in January 2024, the European Union provided EUR 413 182 for the financing of the project 'Strengthening governance for the management of marine-coastal biodiversity through public policies and increasing the capacities of civil society organisations in the Gulf of Chiriquí'.

Implemented by Wetlands International in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and local authorities, this project sought to increase the quality of the site's governance and management capabilities. It also aimed to strengthen the technical and leadership capacities required to ensure sustainable management of marine-coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are critical to local livelihoods.

The European Union's green diplomacy is based on a commitment to promote a just and inclusive green transition in allied countries, such as Panama, leaving no one behind. That is why the project that brings us together today has an important aspect of participatory governance through inter-institutional coordination and with civil society.

H.E. Izabela Matusz, Ambassador of the European Union in Panama, at the closure of the project on January 7, 2026

Project results

After two years of implementation, the project has strengthened the management of the Mangrove Managed Resources Area of Alanje, David and San Lorenzo with the implementation of technical instruments, the activation of participatory governance mechanisms and a process of capacity building with a gender and climate change focus.

The progress towards a comprehensive management approach of the territory and its marine-coastal resources was carried out through complementary actions such as:

• The elaboration of the Protected Area Management Plan, a guiding instrument for guiding decisions, prioritizing actions and ordering the management of the territory;
• The process of dissemination and socialization with key actors to strengthen coherence between planning, implementation and operational coordination in the territory;
• The definition of a governance model that favours more transparent, representative and effective decision-making through inter-institutional articulation and the participation of civil society organisations;
• The training of 496 people, including authorities, community-based organizations, cooperatives, academic allies and institutions with an impact in the area;
• The implementation of the green business of 'mangrove honey production', aimed at diversifying livelihoods, generating incentives for conservation and demonstrating the viability of production models aligned with the protection of mangroves and associated biodiversity.

In this way, the project has improved coordination between institutions and civil society organisations and contributed to consolidating enabling conditions for the sustainable use of mangroves, the conservation of biodiversity and the resilience of livelihoods associated with the ecosystem.

2026 Boquete Flower and Coffee Fair

On the same day, January 7, the Ambassador attended the Boquete Flower and Coffee Fair, an annual event that celebrates the outstanding production of flowers and coffee in the region. In this ceremony we participated in the commemoration of the cultural and natural wealth of Boquete and approached local businesses that presented the most emblematic agricultural products of the region.

Panama and the European Union are key partners in trade and investment. Since 1 August 2013, trade relations between Panama and the EU have been governed by the EU-Central America Association Agreement. Free trade has boosted access for Panamanian products, such as coffee and flowers, to European markets, contributing to a business and investment environment beneficial to the private sector and consumers in both regions.