Panama, 1 August 2025. - Minister María Eugenia Herrera held the first special meeting of the Council of Ministers of Culture of the Central American Integration System (CECC- SICA) as president of this regional council, and told them that "we are at a crucial time, a period of profound global changes that invite us to reflect on our role as guardians and promoters of culture."

He added that this space will be the epicentre where policies will be built that prioritize regional integration, dialogue, diversity and social justice. "Here we will place at the centre unrestricted respect for human and especially for cultural rights, recognizing them as inseparable elements of progress with vital tools for building more just, participatory and balanced societies," emphasized the Minister, and as president of the council.

One of Panama's leading actions is the MONDIACULT 2025 project, a global conference organized by the UNESCO on cultural policies and sustainable development, bringing together representatives of the 194 UNESCO Member States and other interested parties to define the global cultural agenda, including the presentation of the First World Report on the State of Culture.

Further, Panama also submitted a "Declaration on Culture for Peace, Sustainable Development and Regional Integration," with all member countries of the SICA region committed themselves to promoting an active culture of peace, strengthening culture as an axis of sustainable development and advocating for an ODS of culture at the global level.

Minister Herrera invited ministers and representatives to an face-to-face meeting on 10 and 11 December at the SICA (CECC-SICA)'s Council of Cultural Ministers.

All proposals will be submitted to the plenary at forthcoming meetings.