From September 29 to October 1, 2025, Barcelona, Spain, will become an epicentre of the global debate on culture and sustainable development with the holding of MONDIACULT 2025, the World Conference on Cultural Policies organized by UNESCO.

The meeting will bring together representatives of the 194 Member States with a view to drawing up a global Roadmap that puts culture as a vital pillar for human and sustainable development. Some 2,500 representatives from countries from all worlds are expected.

In this context, Panama stands ready to play a key role as a representative of the Central American and Caribbean region, leading the region's voice to an international platform that aims to consolidate culture as a global public good and to promote its inclusion as Sustainable Development Goal (ODS) # 18 as part of the post-2030 Agenda.

The Panamanian delegation, headed by the Minister of Culture, has begun to work actively with its preparations, participating in spaces for regional and international reflection and cooperation. One of these efforts was recently put into place at the International Seminary "MONDIACULT 2025 and Cultural Policies in Spain and Panama today," organized by the Cultural Center of Spain in Panama - Casa del Soldado and the Spanish Embassy.

That initiative, supported by the ACERCA Programme of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Panama, was intended to open a space for dialogue about common challenges and opportunities for collaboration with respect to cultural policy between the two countries.

The seminar discussed issues such as cultural governance, equitable access to culture, cultural rights and the need to strengthen international cooperation mechanisms at the cultural level. Panama shared its experience with the implementation of policies that promote cultural diversity, intangible heritage and community participation, emphasizing the strategic role that culture can play in social cohesion and sustainable development in the region.

MONDIACULT 2025 will mark a milestone for Panamanian cultural cooperation and diplomacy, enabling them to place themselves as an active partner in the construction of global policies while strengthening their commitment to multilateralism, inclusion and recognition of culture as a key engine for social transformation.

The participation of Panama in this global forum not only strengthens its international presence but also contributes to visualizing the cultural dynamics of the region as part of the global agenda, expanding spaces for cooperation and strengthening cultural links with other countries. The path to Mondematult 2025 has already begun and Panama is determined to carry with it the diverse, creative and resilient spirit of the whole region.