"Panama’s center-right president called on world leaders to adopt a new non-binding treaty, building on his nation’s own national rights of nature laws."
"NEW YORK—From the podium of the United Nations General Assembly, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino called on fellow leaders to support a treaty affirming that nature has inherent rights.
“Today I am announcing that Panama will lead internationally an effort to recognize the universal rights of nature. And I ask all of you to support us in this initiative,” Mulino said.
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Panama’s center-right government is working within the longstanding U.N. Harmony with Nature program, proposing language in the triennial Harmony with Nature resolution that would formally open inter-governmental negotiations on a non-binding declaration asserting that nature has rights and articulating what those rights are.
If the resolution passes in December, two co-facilitators—one from a developed country and one from a developing country—would guide governments through drafting and negotiation, with Panama aiming for a proposal by 2030, according to Callie Veelenturf, a marine conservation biologist whose foundation forNature is supporting the initiative. "
Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News September 24, 2026.
