"Dialogue is not a sign of weakness but trust in reason and diplomacy."
Panama Defends 'Useful Multilateralism' at UN Debate Chaired by China
Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha took the floor at a United Nations Security Council open debate in May 2025, delivering a firm defense of diplomatic engagement. The session was chaired by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council.
Martinez-Acha framed dialogue as a strength, not a concession. "Dialogue is not a sign of weakness but trust in reason and diplomacy," he stated. He further championed what he called "useful multilateralism," measuring its success by its ability to prevent conflicts and deliver concrete solutions.
The debate unfolded against a tense diplomatic backdrop. The event comes amid a bilateral crisis between Panama and China—the worst since they established diplomatic relations in 2017.
In a separate press conference following the debate, Wang Yi issued a broader warning about the state of global governance. Without naming any specific country, he cautioned that the UN Charter has been disregarded and world peace is in jeopardy.