Declaration of the Republic of Panama, Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction(GP2022)

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and the Panamanian people, we greet all the delegations and congratulate the Government of Indonesia as host of this VII Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.  

The COVID 19 pandemic and the effects of the ETA and IOTA hurricanes that affected the Central American region at the end of 2020, have reaffirmed the co-responsibility and commitment that we have as a society, in the reduction of disaster risks as a subject and object in the solution of problems aimed jointly towards the construction of resilient economies. 

As the Government of the Republic of Panama, we focused our efforts into achieving the objectives, goals and results within what was agreed in the Sendai Framework, which is why the Civil Protection Career Law and the Cabinet for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRM) were created with the intention of promoting a National Policy for Integrated Disaster Risk Management together with the National Plan for Integrated Disaster Risk Management 2022-2030, both aimed at reducing risks and disasters, promoting economic, social, health, cultural and educational resilience and promoting good practices and governance processes through local governments. 

This effort seeks to promote inter-sectoral coordination, as well as elevate to the highest political rank, all strategic actions aimed at prevention and reduction of disaster risk. 

Additionally, we created the Meteorological and Hydrological Institute that will allow us to strengthen early warning systems in real time, prevent and monitor the impact of adverse events and support the management of secure and timely technical information. 

As part of our plan, we also consolidated the Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance, Hub of the Americas as a platform at the service of the Latin American Region, through prepositioning, distribution of supplies and humanitarian assistance, as well as the establishment of strategic alliances promoting communication bridges and effective coordination.

In response to Covid-19, 579 tons with a value of USD 10.4 million were dispatched from Panama to 39 countries in the Americas.

In November 2020, due to hurricanes Eta and Iota, 254 tons with a value of USD 1.34 million were shipped to Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. 

In 2021, the movement of international humanitarian cargo was1,946 tons, benefiting 38 countries in the region. 

As of February 2022, we have already mobilized 313 tons to 25 countries These experiences have led Panama to develop a policy of preventive and reactive articulation with various entities linked to humanitarian assistance in disasters and crises in the world. 

Under this mandate, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Humanitarian Hub of Panama and the International Humanitarian City of Dubai. 

Since 2018, our Humanitarian Hub has quadrupled its humanitarian cargo, highlighting the importance of timely and strategic attention to situations that affect populations in various regions. 

In conclusion, Panama has made a qualitative leap in this area, but we continue towards a national policy for integrated risk management and the 2030 national strategic plan, as well as raising awareness among the Panamanian population on the subject of risk management, ensuring the understanding that the environment and governance always go hand in handand thus become an excellent example in this region. 

JANAINA TEWANEY MENCOMO 

Government Minister