The Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Panama Canal Museum and President of ICOM Panama, Ana Elizabeth González, held a high-level meeting with UNESCO authorities in Paris. This meeting was part of a strategy aimed at strengthening the international projection of Panama's museum sector. Participants included Paola Gómez Barletta, Programme Specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean; Karalyn Monteil, Head of the Museums and Movable Heritage Protection Unit; Krista Pikkat, Director of Culture and Emergencies; Sunna Altnoder, Programme Officer; and Ambassador Tomás Guardia, Permanent Delegate of Panama to UNESCO. During the meeting, UNESCO and the Panamanian delegation highlighted their interest in advancing projects for technical training, combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, and the national implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Museums and Collections. Additionally, Panama expressed its willingness to explore ways of participating in the UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, a global platform dedicated to making visible and recovering stolen or missing cultural objects. This conversation also opened opportunities for cooperation in research, innovation, and the use of artificial intelligence in museums, as well as possible joint activities for MuseumWeek 2026. “This relationship with UNESCO reaffirms our commitment to a strong museum sector aligned with international standards,” González highlighted. UNESCO and Panama also agreed to maintain technical dialogue and develop a joint agenda focused on training, regional cooperation, and actions to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage.
