The municipality of Arraiján in the province of West Panama confirmed its entry into Mercociudades, aiming to strengthen institutional capabilities and open new avenues for international cooperation. Mercociudades is a network of cooperation among local governments in South America, founded in 1995. The municipality of Arraiján's entry into Mercociudades took place on March 5th in Brazil, following a meeting between Mayor Stefany Peñalba and Rodrigo Neves, the prefect of Niterói and president of Mercociudades. During the meeting, the mayor announced that Arraiján becomes the first city in the Republic of Panama to join Mercociudades. Membership in this network enables the exchange of experiences, technical assistance, and the development of projects that contribute to the transformation and modernization of the district. Peñalba thanked the president of Mercociudades for the opportunity for the municipality of Arraiján to strengthen its technical capabilities and continue to develop. In turn, Mercociudades authorities highlighted that Panama currently participates as an observer of Mercosur, so the incorporation of Arraiján represents a significant step in strengthening ties between cities in the region. The president of Mercociudades, Rodrigo Neves, said, "It is a pleasure to welcome the first city from Panama to Mercociudades. We will work together to promote the development of your city and improve the living conditions of your population." With this integration, Arraiján opens the door to new strategic alliances, the exchange of best practices, and international cooperation projects focused on sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens.
