Panama Initiates Intersectoral Dialogue on the Knowledge Economy in the New International Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the Government of Panama through its Regional Migration Programme for 11 years. IOM has reaffirmed that migration management is at the heart of the strategy for economic recovery and that the response to achieving even more effective and inclusive results lies in its comprehensive approach. 

That is why, within the framework of this Program, the first High-Level Preparatory Forum called Panama and the New International Context: Towards a Knowledge Economy was held this year on September 16 and 17. 

The event was attended  by authorities such as Dr. Ivette Berrio, Deputy Minister of Health; Roger Tejada Bryden, Deputy Minister of Labour and Labour Development; Ivor Pittí, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Jonathan Riggs, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Security; Samira Gozaine, Director General of the National Migration Service; Giancarlo Soler, Deputy Director of the Directorate of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Walker Sizemore, representative of the National Council of Private Enterprise. 

This preparatory forum was an appropriate space for promoting dialogue between various actors from the public and private sector, civil society, and international cooperation on priority actions for the development of the country in the new international context, experiences and good practices, human mobility and globalisation through various thematic sessions. 

"Migration is not a new phenomenon, it has always been a fundamentally positive part of the human experience, which has succeeded in stimulating innovation, expanding individual opportunities and social horizons of a globalized world, constituting a key factor in sustainable development, enhancing common understanding across borders. It is increasingly important, especially as our world becomes more interconnected and interdependent", said Santiago Paz, Head of the Global Administrative Center of Panama and IOM Chief of Mission in Panama. 

The new international migratory dynamic is added to this panorama. When well managed, migration can be a driver of development for migrants themselves and countries of origin, transit, and destination. Migration management is a central element of the strategy for economic recovery, in such a way that it can address the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic and the need to achieve sustainable and equitable development through innovation and job creation with impacts in the short, medium, and long term, as set out in the 2020-2024 Government Strategic Plan. 

IOM’s Western Hemisphere Program is funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.   

For more information, contact the IOM Panama communications team via iompanama@iom.int.