The Ministry of Culture of Panama announces its intention to sign an agreement in the coming months with a view to the joint formulation of projects, with all the dimensions that cover the cultural sector. That initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) and responded to international commitments undertaken, particularly with the Heritage Conventions ratified with the UNESCO.

Panama had ratified four Heritage Conventions with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and had emphasized its commitment as a State party to the Convention for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural World Heritage and to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, among other important instruments.

The UNESCO has identified the construction of sustainable tourism models as one of its priorities, focusing its efforts on the development of communities that contribute to achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. National Government recognizes that culture plays a crucial role in achieving several ODS, including Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and communities), Goal 12 (Responsible production and consumption) as well as Goals 14 (Underwater) and 15 (Life of Ground Ecosystems).

To contribute to policies and strategies to enhance the material, intangible and natural cultural heritage, Ministry of Culture It reaffirms its interest in formalizing this convention that will promote sustainable development and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.

To strengthen this process, a training programme will be put in place for directors and heads of different units of the Ministry of Culture as well as civil society and local authorities, who are key to the design and implementation of policies and projects related to culture and heritage.

Special aims of the Programme:

1. To provide inputs on international standards related to culture, heritage and tourism in the context of sustainable development.

2. To share international experiences with cultural and sustainable heritage management and tourism.

3. To promote the sustainable use of diversity of cultural expressions through cultural tourism.

The training cycle starts with master's talks in Panama City, by the cultural expert and deputy director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central America, Mexico and Colombia, Mr. Enrique Lopez-Hurtado. These talks will include a space for questions and answers. A virtual session will be held later on October 15.

Training modules will cover issues such as:

- The management of heritage as a resource for sustainable cultural tourism.

- The impact of cultural heritage and tourism on the creative economy.

The international normative framework linked to cultural heritage.

- Culture as a global public good and its relationship with ODS.

The participants are expected to gain more knowledge about how to use cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable development and how to integrate the 2030 Agenda into cultural heritage management policies.