In a previous evaluation, UNESCO estimates that Panama meets the criteria to achieve registration of the Trans-Isthmic Colonial Route

On the path to achieving recognition of the Trans-Isthmic Colonial Route of Panama (RCTP) as UNESCO World Heritage, this organization recognized through ICOMOS that the country has managed to demonstrate two of the three criteria proposed by Panama.

Panama, through the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), presented to UNESCO during the year 2023 the necessary documentation to support the RCTP being considered a World Heritage Site of Humanity.

The ICOMOS evaluation report, related to the Panamanian proposal, has been very positive and considers that “the proposed serial asset meets cultural criteria (ii) and (iv)”.

According to the practical guidelines of the 1972 Convention, the recognition of a single criterion is necessary to achieve the inscription of a property on the World Heritage List and, in addition, it considers that the authenticity and integrity of each one has been demonstrated. the components and the route as a whole.

In the Panamanian cultural sphere there is optimism, since this draft decision is very positive, since the Committee has asked the Panamanian State to attend to minor recommendations, which can be attended to by Panama before and during the Forty-sixth meeting of the Heritage Committee World Cup to be held from July 21 to 31 in New Delhi, India.

The goal for the country is to achieve the inscription of a new property on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List this year.

The RCTP includes in its Phase I, the San Lorenzo Castle, the Camino de Cruces, the Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and the Old Town of Panama City, while in its Phase II the fortifications of Portobelo and the Camino Real.