Introduction
The Institute for Conservation and Research in Biodiversity (ICIB) arises as a response to the growing need to manage and monitor biodiversity in Panama. In a country with unparalleled biological wealth, the loss of ecological connectivity, pressure on protected areas, and the lack of adequate incentives for conservation represent significant challenges. This report addresses the creation of the ICIB and its crucial role in the protection of biodiversity in the country, focusing on three fundamental thematic axes: the creation of a platform for biodiversity monitoring, the establishment of research centers, and the creation of an ecosystem restoration fund.

ICIB Justification
The ICIB is justified by the need to have an institution that provides a scientific, technical and financial framework for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. Panama faces serious problems of ecological connectivity and a lack of systematic monitoring that hinder the effective protection of its biodiversity. Likewise, the lack of economic incentives for conservation outside protected areas has perpetuated the degradation of ecosystems. The ICIB will not only provide a solution to these problems, but will also provide the necessary data for informed decision-making.
Environmental changes and increasing human pressure on ecosystems make it urgent to have an organization like the ICIB, which centralizes conservation actions and promotes sustainable practices at local and national levels. The need to coordinate actions between local actors, the State, the private sector and international organizations is crucial to halt the loss of biodiversity and improve the resilience of ecosystems to climate change.

Background
Over the past decades, Panama has faced pressure from agricultural development, urban expansion, and deforestation, leading to the loss of important ecosystems and species. Despite efforts by the Panamanian State, such as the creation of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), many of these territories lack adequate resources and management. The lack of a comprehensive system for monitoring biodiversity has made it difficult to accurately assess changes in ecosystems, while economic incentives, such as payments for environmental services, have been limited or non-existent.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has played an important role in the study of tropical biodiversity in Panama, particularly in Barro Colorado. However, its focus is directed towards scientific research and not towards the implementation of public policies or the direct management of protected areas in the national context. This gap has left the country without an entity that integrates research and action for conservation, which is one of the main reasons for the creation of the ICIB.
Economic incentives for conservation have also been limited. While other countries in the region, such as Costa Rica, have implemented successful payment for environmental services programs, Panama has failed to offer solid financial schemes to encourage communities and landowners to protect forests outside protected areas. This situation has contributed to the degradation of important biological corridors and ecosystems.