Panamá, 26 October 2026 — Panamá is at a pivotal moment to protect and restore its mangroves, according to the new report “Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough in Panamá”, developed by the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Mangrove Breakthrough – and could benefit significantly by scaling up mangrove action. 

Despite signs of modest recovery since 2007, Panamá has lost approximately 50% of its mangrove area since 1969.

Published as the world meets in Armenia for the Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 to accelerate action on nature, the report identifies several priority areas for halting ongoing mangrove loss along the Pacific coast, particularly in the provinces of Chiriquí, Darién, Panamá, and Veraguas. These areas continue to face the greatest pressures from the expansion of tourism infrastructure, agriculture, and shrimp aquaculture. 

In addition, the report finds that Panama has the potential to restore 3,404 hectares of degraded mangroves, offering significant opportunities to strengthen resilience.

Mayllely Cabrera, Wetlands International Panama: “This report reflects what we are seeing on the ground: Panamá’s mangroves can recover when we restore the conditions they need to thrive. Our approach starts with the ecosystem itself: reopening tidal channels and restoring natural water flows, and planting mangroves only where needed, working with the private sector, civil society, authorities and side by side with local communities. 

Panamá already has policies, local knowledge and committed communities. The challenge now is to turn that into action at scale: protect the areas under the greatest pressure, restore degraded mangroves with solutions tailored to each place, and unlock sustainable finance that truly reaches the communities who depend on and care for these ecosystems. We remain committed to working alongside the Ministry of Environment, local communities and our partners to make the Mangrove Breakthrough a reality in Panamá.”

Panamá contains over 1,700 km² of mangroves, representing around 30% of Central America’s total mangrove cover and 2.4% of the world’s mangrove forests. The country also boasts the region’s highest mangrove species richness, around 18% of the world’s total. Four of these species are considered threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Mangroves are vital to Panamá’s coastal communities, supporting livelihoods and food security through artisanal fisheries and shellfish collection, and tourism. Their ecosystem services at several key sites have been valued at US$27 to 57 million annually. Its mangroves also protect thousands of people and millions of dollars in property from storms and more extreme events, while storing significant amounts of blue carbon. 

A strong foundation to enhance protection and restoration

Panamá has a substantial policy foundation for mangrove conservation, including its Nature Pledge which unifies its commitments under the three Rio Conventions, a National Wetlands Policy, National Environmental Strategy 2021–2031 and commitments under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Panamá has also achieved the “30×30 Initiative” targets under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, demonstrating alignment with international conservation goals. 

Today, around 37% of Panamá’s mangrove cover benefits from protection through protected areas and 26% as Ramsar sites. Several high-pressure areas remain unprotected, and enforcement limitations persist. 

Panamá’s Nature Pledge includes commitments to restore 2,500 ha of mangroves and expand protected areas to 40% of its land territory and 60% of its marine and inland waters (including mangroves), by 2035, and halt all illegal deforestation. Panamá has a national database of degraded mangrove areas, a restoration manual, and has identified priority restoration sites. Community engagement is high: around 60% of surveyed coastal residents already participate in restoration and want to continue.

Together with emerging blue carbon and climate finance mechanisms including Fono Panamá Natural, these foundations create opportunities to accelerate mangrove protection, restoration and sustainable finance. 

The report identifies several priorities for accelerating progress, such as halting further mangrove loss along the Pacific coast, which will require addressing well-documented drivers of degradation, stronger monitoring, governance, and land-use regulation.

For restoration, addressing land tenure, socio-economic inclusion, and operational capacity will be critical. Restoration methodologies must respond to local conditions, particularly where drainage, channelization, sedimentation, and altered hydrology have prevented natural regeneration. Integrating restoration into broader watershed and coastal zone management can also help secure long-term results by addressing pressures from development and land conversion. 

Finally, continuation of collaborative partnerships with national and international NGO’s enables enhancing the conditions and readiness to scale up action and unlock sustainable finance. 

About the Report
Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough in Panamá is part of the Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough in the Americas Regional Report. Coordinated by Wetlands International and Conservation International, it assesses Panamá’s mangrove ecosystems, enabling policy and institutional conditions, financing landscape and opportunities to accelerate progress towards the Mangrove Breakthrough targets.

About the Mangrove Breakthrough

The Mangrove Breakthrough is a global movement to value, finance, and safeguard mangroves. The ambition is to mobilize USD 4 billion to protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030, fostering radical collaboration, advancing science-based financial and regulatory decisions, and investing in local leadership.

Media Contact:
Wetlands International, Mayllely Cabrera, [email protected] 
Yenifer Lisbet Diaz Wong, Audubon Panamá, [email protected]