The United Nations and Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature
Panama and the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature
Building on its national leadership, Panama is now helping bring the Rights of Nature to the global stage. Through a partnership between forNature and Panama's Ministry of Environment, Panama is advancing a proposed resolution at the United Nations General Assembly to launch an open and inclusive process toward a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature.
As climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution accelerate, how humanity relates to Nature has become one of the defining questions of our time. A Universal Declaration could offer the world a shared reference point, much like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights did for human dignity, recognizing Nature not as property, but as a living community that we are part of and accountable to.
A Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature would help articulate shared principles for how humanity relates to the living world. It would affirm that Nature has inherent rights and that governments, institutions, communities, and people have responsibilities to respect and protect those rights.
Why a Universal Declaration
The world is facing interconnected ecological crises, including biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, deforestation, ocean degradation, and the destruction of ecosystems that sustain all life.
Current legal systems often treat Nature as property or as a resource to be used. A Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature would help shift this paradigm by recognizing that Nature has value beyond human use and that living systems have the right to exist, regenerate, and maintain their vital cycles.
This declaration would not replace existing environmental agreements, human rights frameworks, or Indigenous rights instruments. It would strengthen them by recognizing the ecological foundations that make all rights and life possible.
Panama's Path to the UN
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Panama recognized Nature as a subject of rights through Law 287.
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Panama extended that recognition to a specific species through Law 371, protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
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Panama is bringing this national experience to the United Nations, working to build a Universal Declaration that could shape global environmental governance.
Panama and forNature Sign Strategic Agreement to Advance a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature at the United Nations
Juan Carlos Navarro, Panama’s Minister of Environment, and Callie Veelenturf, Founder of forNature and Executive Director of The Leatherback Project, sign an agreement to advance a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature (Photo credit: Antonio Chen / AOP)
In a historic development, the Government of Panama and forNature have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance the adoption of a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature before the United Nations General Assembly, marking a significant milestone in the growing global movement to recognize ecosystems and species as rights-bearing entities.
The initiative is being funded in full by the Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund (AKET Fund) in partnership with the National Geographic Society, reflecting a commitment to accelerate this emerging global framework at a moment when it is most urgently needed.
“Panama is not signing a document. Panama is signing a commitment to the future,” said Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment for the Republic of Panama. “The nature of this country does not belong only to us. It belongs to those who come after us, and this agreement is how we protect it.”
Where We Are
Panama is advancing a proposed resolution that would launch a State-led negotiation process at the UN General Assembly. Two co-facilitators, one from a developing country, one from a developed country, would lead the process and report recommendations to Member States for consideration.
The Declaration will require collaboration across countries, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, legal experts, scientists, youth movements, conservation organizations, businesses, philanthropies, and communities.
While the process remains State-led, it's designed to include meaningful participation from civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and the scientific community. Two spaces support that work:
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For Nature Coalition of States → an informal, voluntary space for dialogue among interested governments.
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Civil Society Coalition for the UN Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature → a growing space for civil society to feed the process and amplify its voice.
For more information or to initiate a conversation, contact the forNature team at info@fornature.org.
How to Get Involved
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Amplify the Message: Use your platforms, campaigns, and events to show why the Rights of Nature are gaining ground around the world. Keep the conversation alive.
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Open Doors: Help connect Panama's team, through forNature, with ministries, UN missions, and decision-makers in your reach.
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Bring Your Community Along: Join the Civil Society Coalition and carry it into your own networks and alliances. The more voices, the stronger it stands.
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Lend What You Know: Your legal insight, your science, your storytelling, your experience building movements.