Panama will host the Ninth Meeting of Ministers of Public Security of the Americas in October 2026. The Organization of American States Permanent Council formally approved the decision on Wednesday, February 4, accepting Panama’s offer to serve as the venue.
The selection follows a proposal made by the Panamanian government during the OAS General Assembly’s fifty-fifth regular session. Member states endorsed Panama’s bid through the Santiago de los Caballeros recommendations, which were approved at the Eighth Meeting of Ministers held in the Dominican Republic in June 2025.
“Panama is honored to welcome our hemisphere’s security leaders in 2026,” said Janaina Tewaney, Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Hosting this critical forum underscores our nation’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and confronting shared security challenges through dialogue.” [Translated from Spanish]
The high-level conference is scheduled for October 22 and 23, 2026. According to the approved resolution, the OAS General Secretariat will provide the necessary technical and administrative support for the event’s preparation and execution.
Logistical Support and Hemispheric Significance
OAS support for the 2026 meeting is contingent on the availability of funds within the organization’s program-budget and other financial resources for that fiscal year. The resolution mandates the Secretariat to make all pertinent arrangements.
This ministerial meeting represents the Western Hemisphere’s premier forum for public security collaboration. It facilitates high-level cooperation, information exchange, and the development of policy recommendations. These efforts are grounded in the foundational principles outlined in the Charter of the Organization of American States.
Panama’s role as host places it at the center of regional security policy discussions for the coming year. The country has recently emphasized democratic governance and institutional stability in regional forums, including at the OAS asamblea general.
“This is a vote of confidence in Panama’s capacity and its active foreign policy,” stated a senior official from Panama’s Ministry of Security. “We are already initiating coordination with the OAS to ensure a productive meeting that yields concrete results for citizen safety across the Americas.” [Translated from Spanish]
The selection of Panama continues a tradition of rotating the meeting’s location among member states. It highlights the country’s strategic position and its ongoing efforts to engage with complex transnational security issues.
Regional Context and Forward Momentum
Regional security challenges, including organized crime, cyber threats, and border management, are expected to dominate the 2026 agenda. The meeting allows ministers to align strategies and foster direct cooperation channels.
Panama’s diplomatic corps has been actively involved in OAS proceedings. The country recently advocated for peaceful democratic transitions based on popular will in other regional contexts, demonstrating its invested role in hemispheric affairs.
With the venue now confirmed, focus shifts to logistical planning and agenda setting. Panama and the OAS will work to define specific themes and expected outcomes for the two-day summit. The event will draw ministers, senior officials, and technical experts from across the Americas to Panama’s capital.
Hosting this conference reinforces Panama’s diplomatic profile. It provides a platform to address security concerns directly affecting the isthmus and its neighbors. The countdown to October 2026 has officially begun.