Panama Joins the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership

PANAMA, October 23, 2026 — Panama has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), an initiative associated with the World Economic Forum, according to a report on the agreement announced October 22.

The signing took place at the Salón Amarillo of the Palacio de Las Garzas during the Forum’s Country Strategy Meeting. The report identified Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro as Panama’s representative, World Economic Forum President Alois Zwinggi as GPAP’s representative, and President José Raúl Mulino as an honorary witness.

What the agreement is designed to do

The reported framework is intended to consolidate and continue Panama’s National Plastic Action Platform, support the country’s roadmap on the issue, encourage circular-economy solutions and reduce plastic pollution through coordination among government, business, civil society and other stakeholders.

GPAP is reported to have 25 national partnerships. Joining such a network can create channels for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, but it does not by itself replace domestic policies, implementation plans or public accountability.

What should happen next

The practical test will be whether the cooperation leads to transparent goals, measurable actions and clear opportunities for public participation. Readers should distinguish a memorandum of understanding from a completed program: the agreement establishes a framework, while specific projects and policy decisions will need their own announcements and evaluation.

For households and businesses, plastic action is not only about recycling. It can involve product design, collection systems, reuse, waste reduction and the way public and private institutions measure results. Panama Now Online will follow future official updates on the platform and its roadmap.

Source: Metro Libre report on the government announcement, October 22, 2026.