Official website of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Panama, under responsibility of Hon. Consul Nicolas Vukelja Duque.
24 hours +507.6671.8658
Official website of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Panama, under responsibility of Hon. Consul Nicolas Vukelja Duque.
24 hours +507.6671.8658
Our objectives is to facilitate the development of commercial, economic, cultural, and scientific relations between Ukraine and Panama while promoting friendly relations between the two countries.
- Offering assistance to Ukrainian citizens and entities in Panama.
- Promoting mutual commercial interests.
- Supporting local chambers, associations, and groups to foster business opportunities.
- Arranging regular economic events such as business forums and round tables.
- Facilitating the involvement of Ukrainian delegations in symposiums, conferences, and exhibitions in Panama.
- Providing aid in the organization and execution of social and humanitarian projects.
- Hosting cultural and artistic events.
- Coordinating exhibitions featuring Ukrainian artists.
- Advancing the development of Ukrainian culture in Panama.
Personal Background: Nicolás Vukelja Duque, a Panamanian born in 1978, is a descendant of a grandfather who emigrated from Yugoslavia, present-day Croatia, after the inauguration of the Panama Canal in 1914.
Diplomatic Role: In February 2024, he was appointed as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Panama and has been a supporter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Embassy in Mexico since 2022. In September 2024, he visited Kyiv for the second time during the war, traveling by bus from Poland to promote commercial relations between the two countries. During his 32-day visit, he witnessed the missile attacks faced daily by the courageous Ukrainian people, maintaining a message of positivity and hope.
Notable Achievements:
• Vukelja is the first Panamanian invited to the Parliament of Ukraine and has visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
• He has played a pivotal role in promoting Ukrainian products and brands in the Americas, leading the establishment of the Ukraine Chamber of Commerce in Panama in 2023.
• Since 2021, he has represented the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Kyiv in Panama, fostering stronger economic ties.
• He received a medal of distinction for promoting business opportunities between Ukraine and Panama.
• In June 2023, he celebrated the First Ukrainian Business Forum in Panama, attended by over 150 participants, including representatives from embassies, government authorities, and various companies.
Professional Experience: Vukelja is a co-owner and general manager of a family business engaged in maritime, logistics, financial, and investment sectors in Panama. He served as President of the Maritime Chamber of Panama from 2019 to 2021, representing Panama 35% GDP and with over 300 member companies and contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
International Involvement: He actively contributes to various local and international associations, chambers, and NGOs. Notably, he served as a board member for two terms of the International Bunker Industry Association, headquartered in London, which represents over 40% of marine fuel sales worldwide. He has also been a board director of the Panama Financial Association from 2020-2022.
Advisory Role: Previously, he advised several ministers during different periods of the Panamanian government from a private sector perspective.
Speaking Engagements: With over 25 years of experience, Vukelja is an international conference speaker, having presented in locations such as London, Dubai, Egypt, Denmark, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Gibraltar, Cuba, Grand Cayman, Colombia, Mexico, and Jamaica.
Personal Interests: In his leisure time, he enjoys golfing, fishing, working out at the gym, practicing martial arts, and riding motorcycles.
"Your morals and ethics will always define you."
Golden Point Building, Floor 17, Ricardo J. Alfaro, Panama City.
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, by appointment only.
Office +507.308.1169
office@ukraineinpanama.com
Nine months ago, I traveled to Kyiv to start a project of formalizing interparliamentary relations between Ukraine and Panama.
This week, this project has been formalized. Good times and strong relations between the two democratic countries, Ukraine and Panama, are being strengthened.
Letter dated September 2023, from the Ukrainian Parliament addressed to Minister Dmytro Kuleba of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, expressing the interest of Mr. Nicolás Vukelja, todays Consul of Ukraine in Panama, in establishing an interparliamentary relationship between countries.