Panama, November 18, 2025. - Today an extraordinary meeting was held with the Central American Cultural and Educational Coordination of the Ministers of Culture of the Central American Integration System (CECC SICA), at which two projects aimed at strengthening the artistic and cultural architecture of Central America were approved.

Both initiatives were put forward by the Minister of Culture and Youth of Costa Rica, Jorge Rodriguez Vives. It's about the creation of the Central American Youth Orchestra and the Visual Travel Award of Central America.

On other issues, Panama's Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, announced the launch of the Regional Policy for the Promotion and Protection of Religious and Cultural Workers.

"That policy, driven by CECC-SICA and developed in close collaboration with UNESCO, represents a fundamental effort to put in place an integral framework that will actively protect and promote the rights of those who give life to our culture in the region," Herrera said.

The proposal is nurtured and aligned with important international instruments, with an emphasis on the recommendation of the UNESCO concerning the Status of the Artist of 1980. "It isn't a mere reference, it's been carefully adapted to the context and specific needs of the Central American countries, respecting the realities, challenges and potential of each country," she added.

That new tool benefits artists and cultural workers and also strengthens culture as a global public good for all.

The official invitation to the Thirty-eighth Session of the Board of Ministers and Ministers of Education and Culture of the CECC- SICA, to be held in Panama, was expressed by Minister Herrera.

"That will be an opportunity to address long-term strategic issues and will also be the formal space where Panama will give up the Pro Tempore Presidency, presenting to this council a detailed and transparent management report for our period," she concluded.