Civil society and environmental agenda in the Panama-China relationship

The establishment of diplomatic relations between Panama and China has created opportunities for a

relaunch of the Panamanian economy, through millions of Chinese investments in strategic sectors such as infrastructure and logistics. China is the second most important user of the Panama Canal, behind the US, and the first supplier of the Colon Free Zone (ZLC), the largest in the hemisphere, located on the Atlantic coast of Panama and has crossed An acute crisis.

There are also opportunities for relations between Panama and China to have a favorable impact on the Panamanian effort to comply with the Paris Agreement. While President Trump's government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, China and Germany have recently ratified their commitment to fighting climate change in the wake of Trump's withdrawal. We emphasize Chancellor Merkel's request to Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to "contribute to the search for solutions" so that the German political foundations working in his country can carry out their task of "cooperation with civil society".

 

 Merkel's proposals can be adopted by the Panamanian government. The presence of China should also serve to bring civil society organizations closer to each other, with a focus on sustainable development, conservation and environmental protection. For example, Panama exports Panama to sell copper and aluminum waste to China, but this activity is carried out by the informal sector in working conditions, the Chinese cooperation could help to correct this problem.

 

An Environmental Agenda, with the active participation of the

civil society of both countries could include the following thematic areas:
1. The Integral Management of Solid Waste, with a special focus on improving the living conditions of the informal sector linked to recycling.2. Promotion of community-based tourism to expand and diversify tourism in Panama in anticipation of the expected influx of Chinese tourists.3. Support for the commercialization of forest carbon bonds (Voluntary Carbon Market) owned by communities, private forest owners and indigenous territories.

 

Obviously, the Panamanian government will include other issues related to the interests of the logistics, financial and commercial sector. But an Environmental Agenda, with the participation of civil society would be an important contribution to local sustainable development and the pursuit of equity.