Governors' Climate & Forests Task Force

09/22/2026

Today at Climate Week NYC, we are holding a panel called FROM THE GROUND UP: Mobilizing Subnational Partnerships with the GCF Task Force to Build New Forest Economies.

Speakers include:
- Gov. Luis Francisco Ruiz Aguilar of Gobernación De Caquetá Luis F. Ruiz Aguilar
- Silvia Llamas, Head of Int’l Affairs & Financial Development Unit Comisión Nacional Forestal
- Paola Bauche, Secretary of Semadet Jalisco Paola Bauche Petersen
- Henry Stern, California State Senator Senator Henry Stern
- Sharon London, Partnerships Director Forest Stewardship Council
- María Inés Rivadeneira, Policy Manager WWF-Ecuador; Regional Policy Leader WWF Latinoamérica y el Caribe WWF International
- Andrew Maycock, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability University of Colorado Boulder
Plus a special announcement from Bastien Sachet, President of Earthworm Foundation

Moderated by:
- Rosa Maria Vidal, Senior Advisor, GCF Task Force Mexico
- Colleen Scanlan Lyons, Senior Director for Partnerships and Engagement, GCF Task Force Colleen Scanlan Lyons

This panel explores partnerships for building New Forest Economies that benefit people and conserve forests. Subnational governments from the GCF Task Force and partners will explore mechanisms for unlocking finance, closing capacity gaps, and turning climate agreements into action. Hosted by Latham & Watkins

09/10/2026

Delegates from our member jurisdictions in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and of course, Indonesia, gathered in Bogor this week to discuss public-private partnerships in relation to the New Forest Economy. We were joined by other subnational government representatives and partners from around the world to share experiences, exchange ideas, and set out next steps to increase partnerships that will protect forests and reduce emissions all while promoting sustainable development and improving livelihoods.

Go to www.gcftf.org or link in bio to learn more about what we do.

09/09/2026

Despite delays and venue changes due to forest fires and volcanic eruptions, we had a fantastic first day of our Technical Exchange on Public-Private Partnerships in Conservation and Restoration. The meeting is hosted by the Provincial Government of West Kalimantan, Indonesia but was moved to Bogor due to the fire situation, and some speakers joined virtually due to flight delays and cancellations.

Thank you to the Governor of West Kalimantan, Ria Norsan, and the Vice Governor, Krisantus Kurniawan. We wish them the best as they are dealing with extensive fires in their province.

The first panel titled “Joining Forces: Restoration and Conservation-Based Enterprises” was moderated by Herlina Hartanto of YKAN and Maria Calvo of Fundación Natura Bolivia. A big thank you to our fantastic moderators and panelists!

06/24/2026

We're growing, strengthening commitments, and forging new partnerships! Read all about our 16th Annual Meeting and our members' initiatives on forests, climate, and enhancing livelihoods! 👇

The Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF Task Force) has grown from 45 to 54 member jurisdictions to cover even more of the world’s tropical forests. The GCF Task Force 16th Annual Meeting Summary - a growing network, stronger commitments, and new partnerships.

06/12/2026

¡MIPA 2 comienza hoy! El Intercambio de experiencias sobre implementación de lineamientos de infraestructura verde vial forma parte del Mecanismo de Intercambio de Políticas Públicas Subnacionales para la Gestión Ambiental Sostenible de la Amazonía (MIPA), implementado por el GCF Task Force y el Programa Amazonía+, y será organizado por Gobernación De Caquetá Gobernación de Guaviare de Colombia, Gobierno Morona Santiago Gobierno de Pastaza ¡El Gobierno del Ánimo! Prefectura de Zamora Chinchipe Prefectura de Orellana del Ecuador, y la MANCOMUNIDAD REGIONAL AMAZÓNICA del Perú.

Con el apoyo de
🤝 Global Gateway 🇪🇺 International Partnerships
🤝 AICS Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
🤝 Expertise France
🤝 FIAP

06/12/2026

It's Day 3 of MIPA2!
MIPA = Mechanism for the Exchange of Subnational Public Policies for the Sustainable Environmental Management of the Amazon (Mecanismo de Intercambio de Políticas Públicas Subnacionales para la Gestión Ambiental Sostenible de la Amazonía)

MIPA is a joint initiative of the GCF Task Force and Programa Amazonía+, and the theme of this second technical exchange is on the implementation of guidelines for green road infrastructure.

Slides 1 & 2 - Our outdoor classroom in Guaviare, Colombia.

Slides 3 & 4 - Updating existing bridges and improving roads to incorporate wildlife connectivity and environmental safeguards. e.g. placing lower-cost wildlife crossings under bridges and slightly changing the incline of roadside curbs to reduce wildlife mortality.

In partnership with
Gobernación De Caquetá Gobernación de Guaviare of Colombia, Gobierno Morona Santiago Gobierno de Pastaza ¡El Gobierno del Ánimo! Prefectura de Zamora Chinchipe Prefectura de Orellana Ecuador MANCOMUNIDAD REGIONAL AMAZÓNICA Perú.

With support from
🤝 Global Gateway 🇪🇺 International Partnerships
🤝 AICS Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
🤝 Expertise France
🤝 FIAP

05/21/2026

On Day 4 of our 16th Annual Meeting, a surprise letter from for Governor of ! Former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, founded the GCF Task Force almost 20 years ago with 9 other governors from the USA, Brazil and Indonesia. As of this week, we are now 54 member jurisdictions strong! We will continue fighting climate change and protecting tropical forests and the people that live in and around them. Thank you Gov. Schwarzenegger for your continued support. We will carry the GCF Task Force into the future as we keep working on these critical issues.

05/18/2026

Our 16th Annual Meeting is kicking off with Governor of ! We start with a meeting of our Global Committee for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC). The GCF Task Force is committed to inclusive forest governance and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Today, we will prioritize actionable items that are in line with our Guiding Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Between Subnational Governments and IPLCs.

05/16/2026

¡Nuestra 16.ª Reunión Anual comienza el lunes! Gobernadores y líderes climáticos de todo el mundo se reúnen en Caquetá, el Tesoro Verde de Colombia. Nuestra red está conformada por 45 estados y provincias cuyos gobernadores están comprometidos con la reducción de la deforestación, la promoción del desarrollo sostenible y bajo en carbono, la mejora de los medios de vida y la práctica de una gobernanza forestal inclusiva. Nos reunimos anualmente para intercambiar conocimientos y cocrear las estrategias más efectivas y viables. Para ver los temas de las sesiones de trabajo de este año, visite bit.ly/4txdMuF
Nossa 16ª Reunião Anual começa na segunda-feira! Governadores e líderes climáticos do mundo todo se reunirão em Caquetá, o Tesouro Verde da Colômbia. Nossa rede é formada por 45 estados e províncias cujos governadores estão comprometidos com a redução do desmatamento; a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável e de baixo carbono; a melhoria dos meios de subsistência; e a prática da governança florestal inclusiva. Nos reunimos anualmente para trocar conhecimentos e cocriar as estratégias mais eficazes e práticas. Para ver os temas das sessões de trabalho deste ano, acesse bit.ly/4txdMuF

05/16/2026

Pertemuan Tahunan ke-16 kami dimulai pada hari Senin! Gubernur dan pemimpin iklim dari seluruh dunia akan berkumpul di Caquetá, Harta Karun Hijau Kolombia. Jaringan kami terdiri dari 45 negara bagian dan provinsi yang gubernurnya berkomitmen untuk mengurangi deforestasi; mempromosikan pembangunan berkelanjutan dan rendah karbon; meningkatkan mata pencaharian; dan mempraktikkan tata kelola hutan yang inklusif. Kami berkumpul setiap tahun untuk bertukar pengetahuan dan bersama-sama menciptakan strategi yang paling efektif dan dapat ditindaklanjuti. Untuk melihat topik sesi kerja tahun ini, kunjungi bit.ly/4txdMuF