The Upper Panama Bay IBA It is one of the most important wetlands in the Americas for migratory waterbirds, annually hosting between 1 and 2 million individuals. The site covers 50,000 ha of mangroves and mudflats next to Panama City, the sprawling capital of Panama. The bay provides essential ecosystem services, (flood defense, carbon storage, pollution filter, fisheries and eco-tourism) to almost 1 million inhabitants of the capital city and its surroundings. The site is designated as a Ramsar Site, a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site and a Wildlife Refuge under national law.

Despite its huge importance and protection status, the Upper Panama Bay suffers from a wide range of threats and has been designated as an IBA in Danger (IBAiD). Threats include urban and industrial development, agriculture expansion, grazing, pollution, land reclamation, drainage and unsustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. The biggest recent threat was the Government´s intention to reduce the boundaries of the protected area covering the Upper Bay of Panama to give way to urban and industrial development. This decision was overturned by the High Court in May 2014; however, there is still considerable pressure to develop this area.

Panama Audubon Society (PAS), the BirdLife Partner in Panama, has been working tirelessly to remove the pressure from Upper Panama Bay and to consolidate its status as a legal protected area in Panama. Activities undertaken to date include preparation of a conservation plan for the site, monitoring, education and public awareness. Now that a new, more environmentally conscious Government came to power in 2014, there is hope for a more sustainable development of this flagship IBA. PAS is planning to work closely with the affected Municipalities, relevant Ministries and a range of other stakeholders to advocate for an ecologically sustainable, integrated land use plan, new laws and increased capacity of decision-makers.