Edison Broce

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Edison Augusto Broce Urriola (born November 1, 1990) is a Panamanian independent politician, lawyer, and environmental advocate. Since 2019 he has served in Panama’s National Assembly for the 2019-2024 term, representing circuit 8-8 (Don Bosco, Juan Díaz, Parque Lefevre, Río Abajo, San Francisco). He has led the Independent Caucus in the Assembly since July 1, 2020.

Education and early work
He studied law at the University of Panama and earned a law degree cum laude plus a Master in Procedural Law summa cum laude from Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua, where he also completed a master’s in environmental law. He completed a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, on a Chevening Scholarship. He founded UC Santa María La Antigua’s first environmental group and helped the team win the Panamanian national round of the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in 2013. He later founded Eco Exito, a community recycling project that grew into a nonprofit organization, and served as the first president of the U.S. Embassy Youth Advisory Council. He is a member of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Political career
From 2014 to 2019, Broce served as an alternate member of the National Assembly. In 2019 he was elected as a deputy for circuit 8-8. Along with other independents, he renounced many parliamentary privileges and helped form Panama’s first independent caucus.

Key laws and initiatives
- The Republic’s first recycling law (2020), recognized by British Vogue as a notable leadership effort.
- Law 187 (December 2, 2020) to reduce and progressively replace single-use plastics.
- Law 32 (March 17, 2020) to reduce paper use in public administration and promote environmental practices.
- Law 295 (April 25, 2022) on electric mobility.
- Law 223 (June 8, 2021) on environmental incentives to promote sustainable business and the recycling industry.

Darién deforestation commission and PARLATINO
In 2019 he called for an Investigation Commission on Darién deforestation and served as its president, leading hearings with senior officials; field work was delayed by COVID-19. He is also the President of the Education, Culture, Science, Technology and Communication Commission of PARLATINO (the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament).