Panama City, Panama, May 17 2024 – More than 200 specialists from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Panama during the Knowledge Week 2024 to analyze the development challenges affecting the region.

The event took place between May 13 and 17 in Panama City, Panama bringing together representatives from the Communities of Practice (CoP) of Gender Equality, Governance and Peacebuilding, Environment, and Inclusive Growth of UNDP in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as special guests. The specialists reflected on the main challenges of the region in a rapidly changing world, and how transformational changes can be achieved through inclusive, innovative and integrated solutions with the role of finance as an enabler.

Therefore, the Knowledge Week was organized in coordination with the SDG Finance Academy, where attendees learned from countries and aligned visions among teams on how sustainable finance can help strengthen both, governance and our social contract, engage the private sector in protecting the planet, and create more inclusive jobs, among other things.

During the event, participants engaged in discussions around UNDP’s “know how” through co-creation spaces, collaboration, and alignment with the organization's programmatic framework, considering the findings of the latest Human Development Report.

This year's Knowledge Week focused on the theme "Transformational Change in Latin America and the Caribbean." UNDP's Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for the region, Michelle Muschett, said that, "As we come together, we face a pivotal moment in the region's development and political and social trust needed for forging social cohesion and new inclusive social contracts. The challenges we confront - from slow economic growth to rising inequality, democratic deficits, gender inequalities, and environmental degradation - demand bold, integrated evidence-based and solutions”.

Alongside these challenges, there are also immense opportunities. “The abundant natural capital of the region, clean energy matrices, and the potential to become a global hub for green hydrogen offer a unique opportunity for innovation and growth. By prioritizing resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development, Latin America and the Caribbean can lead in environmental management, climate action, and inequalities reduction”, said José Cruz-Osorio, Manager of Regional Hub for UNDP in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We are here to chart a new path forward - one that puts people and social justice at the center and harnesses the full power of UNDP's integrated approach to development", affirmed Michelle Muschett.