Territorial dialogue drives climate solutions from Indigenous communities in Panama

• 28 community leaders and representatives from Kusapín, Bahía Azul and Río Chiriquí participated in this space for reflection and local action.

With the aim of reflecting on climate change and strengthening responses from Indigenous territories, the first territorial dialogue “Building local climate solutions from the territory” was held on March 31, 2026, at the municipal auditorium of Kusapín, Ñö Kribo Region, Panama. The event brought together 28 community leaders and representatives of organizations, as well as presidents of Adaptation and Livelihood Commissions from the districts of Kusapín, Bahía Azul and Río Chiriquí.

The dialogue was moderated by activist Jhonathan Vejerano, president of the Ngäbe Buglé Youth Forum, with the participation of prominent leaders, including: Salincio Taylor, Local Cacique of Kusapín; Yorniel Sam, from ADESPU (Association for the Development of Ecotourism Playa Uva); Reveca Abrego, field technician of the Kusapín Se Adapta project; and Ilfido Molina, community leader.

The dialogue aimed to empower local Indigenous leadership, highlighting the role of communities in addressing emerging climate challenges in the territory.

This space underscored the importance of ancestral knowledge as a fundamental tool for addressing climate challenges, recognizing the Indigenous communities of Kusapín as agents of change and key actors in the search for sustainable solutions.

This action is part of the activities carried out the project “Improving adaptive capacity to climate change in the district of Kusapín through nature-based solutions and community processes,” locally known as Kusapín Se Adapta, funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and implemented by CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), in coordination with the Ministry of Environment of Panama (MIAMBIENTE).

According to Erick Trotman, Head of Coasts and Seas at MIAMBIENTE in the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, “The territorial dialogue strengthens community organizations, reaffirms the role of traditional authorities, and consolidates institutional work in the implementation of natural resource conservation policies, recognizing traditional knowledge.”

In this same context, Salincio Taylor, Local Cacique of the Kusapín District, stated:

““This dialogue has been very enriching, as we have shared our experiences and ancestral knowledge, which are part of our identity and culture. We have also recognized that this knowledge is fundamental to addressing climate change. We hope that this activity can be repeated, also including the participation of our elders, so they can pass on their knowledge. We request that this experience be replicated with the broader population.”“

This initiative reaffirms the commitment to strengthening local capacities and promoting climate solutions from the territory, with a participatory and intercultural approach.