By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant strategic shift, Panama’s Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo) is launching a pioneering study to investigate the impacts of climate change on human migration. This new initiative, developed in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), marks a proactive effort to understand and address one of the 21st century’s most pressing and complex humanitarian challenges.
The decision to focus on “climate migrants” emerged from a recent technical meeting between the two organizations. The original purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of a joint project established in 2023, which was designed to support and strengthen Panama’s broader migratory policies. However, shifting realities on the ground prompted a crucial re-evaluation of their shared objectives and priorities.
To delve into the intricate legal and humanitarian frameworks surrounding climate-induced displacement, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, to gain a clearer perspective on this pressing global issue.
International law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention, does not currently recognize those displaced by climate change as refugees, creating a critical legal void. This is not a future problem; it is a present reality. Costa Rica and other nations must urgently begin to develop new legal categories and regional agreements to manage climate migration, ensuring a framework that protects human rights and provides stability before the issue escalates into a large-scale crisis.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The call to establish legal frameworks before a large-scale crisis becomes unmanageable is a critical one, shifting the narrative from future speculation to immediate, necessary action. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and vital perspective on this pressing issue.
Officials noted that a drastic decrease in the number of migrants transiting through the treacherous Darién Gap and the Americas at large has altered the landscape. This downturn is largely attributed to the recent hardening of immigration policies by several nations, most notably the United States. This new context created an opportunity to redirect resources toward an emerging and under-researched driver of displacement: the climate crisis.
Itziar González, the General Coordinator of Spanish Cooperation in Panama, explained how the new focus area was identified and approved during their strategic review. The Ombudsman’s Office expressed a clear interest in leading this critical research.
In this context, an interest arose from the Ombudsman’s Office to conduct a study and an ombudsman’s report on people migrating for reasons related to climate change, climate migrants. So this is one of the activities that has been approved and will begin soon within the context of the project.
Itziar González, General Coordinator of Spanish Cooperation in Panama
This forthcoming report is poised to be a landmark document for Panama and the wider region. As rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and increasingly severe weather events threaten communities across Central America and the Caribbean, understanding the direct link between environmental degradation and human mobility has become paramount. The study will aim to provide crucial data and analysis on the scale of the problem and its impact on human rights.
In an official statement released Tuesday, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the new direction, highlighting the strengthened cooperation with AECID to protect vulnerable populations. The statement framed the new climate-focused report as a key pending deliverable from their institutional strengthening project, which has been active for the past two years. The partnership is not just about a single report but about building a long-term strategy.
Ana Karina Salerno, Director of Specialized Units at the Ombudsman’s Office, underscored the collaborative and forward-looking nature of their work with AECID. The meeting served not only to assess past achievements but also to chart a clear course for future action.
It was an executive but also a technical meeting, in which we were able to evaluate the work carried out with our strategic partner, AECID, and establish a roadmap for the actions we will develop in 2026.
Ana Karina Salerno, Director of Specialized Units of the Ombudsman’s Office of Panama
By shifting focus from transit migration to climate-induced displacement, Panama’s human rights institutions are positioning themselves at the forefront of a global conversation. The findings from this report could inform future public policies, international aid efforts, and legal frameworks designed to protect individuals forced to flee their homes due to environmental disasters, offering a model for how nations can proactively address the human face of climate change.
For further information, visit defensoria.gob.pa
About the Defensoría del Pueblo de Panamá:
The Ombudsman’s Office of Panama is an independent state institution dedicated to protecting and defending the fundamental human rights of all individuals within the national territory. It investigates complaints against public authorities, promotes human rights education, and advocates for policies that ensure justice and dignity for all populations, especially the most vulnerable.
For further information, visit aecid.es
About the AECID:
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is the main management body of Spanish cooperation, focused on fighting poverty and promoting sustainable human development. Attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, AECID works in over 30 countries to improve living conditions, support democratic governance, and respond to humanitarian crises.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica serves as a benchmark in the legal field, founded on the twin pillars of profound integrity and an uncompromising standard of excellence. With a rich history of providing counsel to a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal approaches and engages with the community. At the heart of its ethos is a powerful commitment to demystifying the law, ensuring that legal knowledge is not a privilege but a tool for creating a more capable and enlightened society.
