Expanding relations based on growing trade and cooperation on international issues.

Key engagement

Largest trading partner in Central America with growing commercial interests.

Outlook

Panama's economy has been one of the fastest growing globally in the last decade.

Opportunities exist in education, mining, infrastructure and clean energy.

Bilateral relations

Australia and Panama established diplomatic relations in 1974. Australia has an Honorary Consul in Panama.

Australia’s Ambassador to Mexico holds non-resident accreditation to Panama.

Panama opened an embassy in Australia in 2018 and has a Consulate-General, headed by an Honorary Consul, in Sydney.

Foreign relations

Australia and Panama are members of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations (UN). Both participate in the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

Panama is a member of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Organization of American States (OAS), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Central American Integration System (SICA) and other regional organisations. 

Australia is an observer of SICA.

Panama is an observer of the Pacific Alliance and has FTAs in force or under negotiation with all Alliance members.

Foreign Policy White Paper: Foreign Policy White Paper

Fast facts

Panamanian visitors to Australia (2020 Dept of Home Affairs) #

200

Australian visitors to Panama (primary destination (2019 Dept of Home Affairs) # *

300

Resident Australian population born in Panama (2016 Census)

214

Australian residents of Panamanian descent (2016 Census)

N/A

Panamanian students in Australia (2020 Dept of Education)

22

# This data is owned by Home Affairs. It provides quarterly updates to this data on its website.

* Panama reports the number of Australian visitors 4,302 (Oceania) in 2020 (migracion.gob.pa).

High level engagement

2017 June –Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, visited Panama.

2017  May – Australia's Special Envoy for Human Rights, Philip Ruddock, visited Panama.

Agreements with Panama

There are currently no bilateral agreements between Australia and Panama

Public diplomacy

In 2020, the Australian Embassy hosted a webinar on Australia’s biosecurity expertise to combat Fusarium wilt of bananas. The event attracted over 150 participants from 13 different countries, including Panama.

Through the Direct Aid Program, the Australian Government supports projects coordinated by civil society, which empower women and girls, and advocate for the rights of indigenous communities, persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities. DAP funds have also been used to help many of these disadvantaged groups recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Australian Embassy in Mexico has hosted a number of webinars in collaboration with sponsored NGOs to highlight the outcomes of these projects. In 2019-20, funding was provided for youth empowerment projects in vulnerable communities.

Economic diplomacy

The Australian Government supports Australian investors in Panama by providing support and advice on political, economic and regulatory environments.

Through the Department of Agriculture, Australia and Panama collaborate on areas of mutual interest, including bio-security and livestock identification and traceability.

Further economic and trade information can be found in our Economic Factsheet for Panama.

Business

Austrade aims to attract foreign direct investment into Australia. It also identifies market opportunities and promotes the capabilities of Australian exporters and education providers. 

Austrade

Austrade offices

Travel

See Smartraveller for Information on travelling to Panama: smartraveller.gov.au

Australian Embassy in Mexico

Ruben Dario 55
Col. Polanco
Mexico City 11580

Tel: 52-55-11012200

General: australianembassy.mexico@dfat.gov.au

Facebook: Australia en México, Centroamérica, Cuba y República Dominicana

Twitter: @AusEmbMex

Last updated October 2021