Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78)

In 2020, the number of migrants exceeded 280 million according to data from the International Organization for Migration. Migration drivers are related to the availability of natural resources, political instability, economic inequality, insecurity, violence, among others. Transboundary environmental governance is essential for managing natural resources in countries that serve as corridors for migratory flows. Panama is part of these corridors, where migrants from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Asia cross the Darien jungle in transit to North America. According to Panama's National Migration Service, in 2022, 248,284 individuals crossed through the Darien Biogeographic Region. Meanwhile in 2023, 251,758 persons have crossed by July, surpassing the previous year's number. This crossing represents risks and impacts for both humans and the natural ecosystems of the region. Darien is a tropical forest zone with high levels of humidity and rainfall, rich biological diversity, and vast expanses already experiencing negative pollution impacts due to increased human flow and lack of governmental and local initiatives to address the issue. It is necessary to approach the topic with a focus that also encompasses strategies for environmental governance involving the entire region, encouraging the development of research, programs, and policies aimed at maintaining and restoring natural ecosystems in extra-regional and extra-continental migration corridors.
Abstract
A two-hour open space session is intended, involving 6 experts from different countries who have conducted research on the topics of transboundary environmental governance, public health migratory flows, migration drivers, migration impacts on natural and social ecosystems, or related themes. The session aims to engage in a scientific discussion encompassing the various components of migrations in transboundary natural corridors. The geographical area of focus is the Darien Biogeographic Zone, a Neotropical natural corridor stretching from the Darien province in eastern Panama, through western Colombia, to the northwest of Ecuador. This corridor spans the Pacific coast of three countries and sometimes extends into valleys, slopes, or even the Caribbean coast. This area is of great scientific importance due to its concentration of endemic plant species. It also boasts valuable ethnic diversity, with over 200 communities inhabiting the territory, some comprised of Afro-descendants, and others of indigenous or mestizo descendants of migrants. It is considered one of the most culturally diverse areas in Latin America.
Expected outcomes
This session aims to encourage the scientific community, policymakers, and civil society at large to design a roadmap considering social, economic, and environmental aspects focused on Transboundary Environmental Governance. This will contribute to generating other research initiatives that address environmental and social issues in the studied region or other regions with similar characteristics. This initiative significantly contributes to six Sustainable Development Goals directly, notably Goal 15, which aims to address threats faced by wildlife and natural ecosystems.