Panama more than a canal: Promoting sustainability and community development

As part of its mission as an economic engine and a pillar of sustainability, the Panama Canal remains committed to the socioeconomic and environmental development of the communities within the Panama Canal watershed. Our comprehensive socio-environmental management strategy seeks to ensure the well-being of residents and the sustainability of the water resources that are essential to both the nation and global commerce.

The water stored in the lakes around the Panama Canal is a vital resource, providing more than 50% of Panama’s population with rural aqueducts, fuel for productive activities, and helping sustain the global supply chain. This highlights the critical need for conservation to ensure that development is achieved in a long-term, sustainable manner.

Together with the watershed communities, the Panama Canal promotes programs and projects aimed at protecting and conserving our region’s resources, ensuring the availability and quality of water for various needs.

Capira: Where Coffee and Water Transform Lives

The Panama Canal has collaborated closely with producers in Ciricito Arriba, Capira, a key region within the watershed, to develop more than 4,500 hectares of sustainable coffee plantations. This crop not only protects essential water resources for the canal’s operations but also improves the quality of life for hundreds of families by providing them with a stable source of income. In 2022, the region produced 14,000 quintals of coffee, generating more than one million balboas in income for local coffee growers, further solidifying its economic and environmental significance.

During the inauguration of the coffee harvest on January 16, Panama Canal Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Coffee production in this region not only protects essential water resources for the canal but also transforms the lives of hundreds of families by offering them a sustainable source of income and opportunities for development.” This joint effort, which includes the participation of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) and producer associations, strengthens local productive chains and positions Capira as a benchmark for sustainable coffee in Panama.

Sustainability and Well-being: A Commitment to Future Generations

Driven by a mission to promote sustainability and community well-being, the Panama Canal Authority will continue to lead essential projects within the watershed, which are crucial for advancing sustainable development in the region. These efforts align with our strategy to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. The Panama Canal Authority reaffirms its commitment to the watershed communities, demonstrating that it is possible to integrate economic productivity with environmental sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations.