The president of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, has ratified laws 455 and 456, marking a significant advance for the educational and cultural sector of the country. Act 455 of 15 November 2024 amends Section 235 of Act 175 of 2020, transferring educational establishments and advanced technical institutes of fine arts and folklore to the Ministry of Culture and the administrative and educational personnel of these institutions will be attached to the National Directorate of Artistic Education, ensuring more specialized and focused management of cultural training.

The transfer of artistic establishments to the Ministry of Culture strengthens efforts to preserve and promote artistic education in the country, recognizing its vital role in cultural and social development. That amendment allows that the degrees awarded by educational establishments will be supported by the Ministry of Education and in the case of advanced technical institutes will be monitored by the University of Panama. That will guarantee continuity in the training of fine arts students.

While Act No. 456 lays down the Transitory Tourist Colonial Route as a Panamanian Cultural Heritage, a recognition that aims to protect and value this important historic and cultural legacy, this route includes iconic sites such as:

• The Monument Set of Portobelo and San Lorenzo
• The Monumental Set of Casco Antiguo
• The Archaeological Site of Old Panama
• The Royal Way
• The Way of Cross
• The Rines of the Chapel of La Palangana or Chapel of Cárdenas

The main aim of this declaration is to protect, preserve, safeguard and fully put into value the components of the path, and to reaffirm Panama's commitment as a party to the UNESCO to safeguard our cultural heritage. That declaration of the Transistmic Tourist Colonial Route contributes to place Panama as an international reference point for the protection of cultural property.

With these actions, Panama reaffirms its commitment to the educational and cultural legacy by ensuring that future generations can enjoy and learn from our heritage that forms part of our national identity.