No. 51479. United States of America and Panama

A landmark debt-for-nature swap between the United States and Panama, formalized in 2004, secured $10 million to expand and protect Darién National Park. This agreement marked a novel approach to conservation financing, leveraging international cooperation to mitigate ecological threats while addressing economic obligations. The initiative aimed to preserve the park's biodiversity, including critical habitats for species like the Baird’s tapir and harpy eagle, by funding infrastructure, anti-poaching measures, and sustainable development programs. By converting U.S. debt into conservation investments, the partnership demonstrated a scalable model for blending financial instruments with environmental protection, offering a blueprint for global heritage site preservation.

(Ed.). (2020). No. 51479. United States of America and Panama. Treaty Series 2962, 245. https://doi.org/10.18356/1832ffd5-en-fr