Panama’s Minister for Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza, and Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales are set to participate in a special session of the United Nations Security Council in New York, where international maritime security will be the central topic of discussion. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2025, and will be chaired by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino as part of Panama’s leadership role at the Council during the month of August.

According to the Panama Canal Authority, Minister Icaza will join the official delegation of the Panamanian government, while Administrator Vásquez will address the Security Council on issues related to international maritime security. Their participation underscores the strategic importance of the Panama Canal in global trade and the broader conversation surrounding the protection of vital maritime routes.

The session will also include interventions from International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez and Interpol Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza, further highlighting the high-level international focus on maritime security and cooperation.

The Panama Canal Authority noted that Panama’s presidency of the UN Security Council during August 2025 places the country at the center of one of the world’s most important forums on international security. In that context, the participation of both the Canal Affairs Minister and the Canal Administrator reinforces Panama’s role as a key voice in discussions on maritime safety, global logistics, and the secure flow of international commerce.