The Republic of Panama solidifies its positioning as a strategic hub for international events after confirming it will host the International Summit for Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC Summit) 2026. Panama will host the world SBCC 2026 summit on social change. Panama reaffirms its position as an international convention center by being chosen as the host for the Summit for Social and Behavioral Change Communication in June 2026. This event, recognized as the world's leading forum for sustainable development professionals, will take place from June 22 to 26, 2026, at the Panama Convention Center facilities. International impact and logistical capacity. For five days, the summit will bring together a delegation of over 1,800 participants, including researchers, journalists, public policy makers, donors, and youth advocates from more than 125 nations. Gloria De León, General Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, noted in the third person that the country's designation as host ratifies confidence in national infrastructure and connectivity. At the local level, the SBCC Summit has the institutional backing of the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES), the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), and PROMTUR Panama, ensuring the necessary coordination for this global-scale event. Gloria De León emphasized that holding the SBCC Summit will generate a positive direct impact on hotel occupancy, local service consumption, and the projection of Panama's image abroad as a global congress hub. Thematic axes and strategic focus. Under the motto 'The power of connection: reimagining knowledge, action, and equity in a changing SBCC landscape,' the event will prioritize innovation and collaboration in the face of current global challenges such as food security, climate change, and public health. The co-chair of the Summit Secretariat and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Debora B. Freitas López, described the meeting as a movement to rethink collaboration in favor of more just societies in the context of a climate crisis and changes in financing models. The program structure is based on four pillars: Connection and relationships: Focused on shared leadership and building trust. Knowledge and evidence: Oriented to redefining the validity of scientific and social evidence. Action and impact: Directed at social resilience through the mobilization of systems. Inclusion and equity: Based on the ethical use of technology and the promotion of narrative justice. The organization of the summit is led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), with the support of various global entities.
