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Opening & Keynote Remarks: H.E. José Raúl Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama

SpeakerS:

H.E. Laura Chinchilla, Former President; Co-chair, Republic of Costa Rica (2010-2014); Concordia Leadership Council
H.E. José Raúl Mulino, President, Republic of Panama

“When attitudes of disagreement, rupture, and polarization prevail, the Concordia Summit creates mechanisms to facilitate constructive dialogue and prospects for collaboration.” H.E. Laura Chinchilla
“We are not a tax haven. Everyone who pays taxes and works generates income; they pay taxes in significant amounts in Panama, both companies and individuals.” H.E. José Raúl Mulino

Key takeaways:

  • Facilitating dialogue and collaboration: The Concordia Summit emphasizes creating mechanisms to facilitate constructive dialogue and prospects for collaboration, especially when attitudes of disagreement and polarization prevail. 
    • Addressing crucial topics: Focus on crucial topics such as artificial intelligence, technological dilemmas, and the well-being, advancement, and empowerment of youth and women. 
    • Highlighting human rights and democracy: Venezuelan political leader María Corina Machado embodies the contemporary heroine, directly confronting new authoritarianism with courage, intelligence, and determination in her fight for human rights, freedom, and democracy in Venezuela. 
    • Panama’s tax haven rejection: President H.E. José Raúl Mulino rejected Panama´s tax haven label, emphasizing that all income earners, both companies and individuals, pay taxes. He criticized the unfair listing by organizations that harms Panama’s financial reputation.
    • Combat crime and human trafficking: Panama is directly confronting organized crime, human trafficking, and narcotics trafficking, investing approximately $100 million annually from its national budget to address these issues.
  • International cooperation on migration: President Mulino emphasized the need for broad international understanding and cooperation on migration, highlighting that this is not solely Panama’s problem but a global challenge requiring collective action. 

 

Action items:

  • Promote constructive dialogue: Engage in and support platforms that facilitate constructive dialogue and collaboration to address global challenges, helping to bridge divides in times of disagreement and polarization.
  • Engage with tech and social initiatives: Encourage discussions and initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence and technological dilemmas, and advocate for the well-being, advancement, and empowerment of youth and women.
  • Support human rights and democracy: Back leaders and movements dedicated to fighting for human rights, freedom, and democracy, recognizing their crucial role in confronting authoritarianism and promoting democratic values.
  • Advocate against economic mislabeling: Work towards rectifying international misconceptions about nations like Panama, advocating against unfair labels such as “tax haven,” and promoting transparency and fairness in global economic practices.
  • Collaborate on combating crime: Support international cooperation efforts to combat organized crime, human trafficking, and narcotics trafficking, acknowledging the shared responsibility among nations to address these issues effectively.
  • Enhance understanding of migration challenges: Promote broader international comprehension of migration issues, encouraging collective action and policy development to manage migration responsibly and humanely. 
  • Encourage policy discussions at international forums: Advocate for migration and security issues to be key topics at international forums like the United Nations, supporting leaders who bring these challenges to the global stage for collaborative solutions.

 

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