In November 2025, COP30 will take place in the Brazilian state of Pará, a founding member of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCFTF). Representatives from many GCFTF member jurisdictions will be featured in events throughout COP30 and in pre-COP events in Rio de Janeiro. Our Global Secretariat is organizing several exciting key events! See below for our full COP30 itinerary, and be sure to check back for updates.
PRE-COP EVENTS │Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
COP30 LOCAL LEADERS FORUM
DATE: 3 – 5 November 2025
LOCATION: Rio de Janeiro
ORGANIZERS: Bloomberg Philanthropies, COP30 Presidency
PARTNERS: Under2 Coalition, Regions4, GCFTF, ABEMA, European Committee of Regions, US Climate Alliance, Institute for Climate and Society
The COP30 Local Leaders Forum will unite mayors, governors, and subnational officials from around the world to showcase how local action is driving global climate progress.
The full itinerary can be found here. Details on GCFTF member participation will be announced soon.
COP EVENTS │Belém, Brazil
UNFCCC SIDE EVENT
From the Ground Up: Leveraging Subnational Leadership and Investments to Deliver Climate and Nature Commitments
DATE: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
TIME: 9:30 – 11:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: Blue Zone, Nature Pavilion
ORGANIZERS: Regions4, GCFTF, Nature4Climate, Under2 Coalition, ABEMA
The high-level roundtable will spotlight subnational governments – states, provinces, and regions – as essential implementers of national climate and biodiversity goals. By translating national commitments into territorial action, subnational actors drive just resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable investments. The session will showcase how regions are advancing NDCs, NAPs, and NBSAPs through integrated, nature-positive approaches, setting the stage for COP31 ambition.
*Blue Zone credentials required for entry.
UNFCCC SIDE EVENT
Revaluing Ecosystem Stewardship: The Solution to a Just Climate Future
DATE: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
TIME: 11:30 – 13:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: Blue Zone, Side Event Room 4
ORGANIZERS: Nature & Culture International
*Blue Zone credentials required for entry.
PANEL
Women for Forests and Climate: Townhall Discussion on Gender with GCFTF Leaders
DATE: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
TIME: 14:00 – 15:30 UTC-3
LOCATION: Green Zone, Amapá Pavilion
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Amapá
PANEL
Amazon Socio-Bioeconomy: Subnational Strategies for Sustainable Development
DATE: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
TIME: 15:00 – 17:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: Parque de Bioeconomia
ORGANIZERS: TNC, GCFTF, Coalizão Clima Floresta e Agricultura
PANEL
From the Amazon to the Pacific: Forest Protection, Community Engagement, and Jurisdictional Governance in Colombia & Ecuador
DATE: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
TIME: 16:30 – 18:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: ABEMA House (Instituto Tecnologico Vale)
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Nature & Culture International
PANEL
Case studies in Jurisdictional REDD+: In-depth Exchange between Leading States from Brazil and Mexico
DATE: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
TIME: 15:00 – 16:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: ABEMA House (Instituto Tecnologico Vale)
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Pronatura Sur
GOVERNORS’ ROUNDTABLE
Advancing the New Forest Economy: Governors’ Roundtable on Scaling Subnational Leadership and Investment in Tropical Forests
DATE: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
TIME: 16:30 – 18:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: ABEMA House (Instituto Tecnologico Vale)
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Regions4, ABEMA
RECEPTION
Networking for the New Forest Economy: GCFTF & Partners Reception
DATE: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
TIME: 18:00 – 20:30 UTC-3
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Regions4, ART/Trees, Nature & Culture International
*By invitation only.
UNFCCC SIDE EVENT
Driving Climate Impact from the Ground Up: Implementing New Forest Economies, Climate Finance, Indigenous Digital Sovereignty, and Climate Communications at the Subnational Level
DATE: Thursday, 13 November 2025
TIME: 11:30 – 13:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: Blue Zone , Side Event Room 4
ORGANIZERS: UCLA, UC Berkeley, Pronatura Sur, CU Boulder, GCFTF
Perspectives from GCFTF Governors, Indigenous and community leaders, and partners on building and implementing New Forest Economies.
PANEL
Building Community to Protect Forests in Mexico: Producers, States, and the National Government
DATE: Thursday, 13 November 2025
TIME: 16:00 – 18:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: ABEMA House (Instituto Tecnologico Vale)
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Pronatura Sur
INVITE ONLY MEETING
GCFTF IPLC Global Committee Meeting
DATE: Friday, 14 November 2025
TIME: 11:00 – 12:30 UTC-3
LOCATION: Green Zone, Acre Pavilion
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF IPLC Global Committee
In 2016, the GCFTF Global Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities was formed to strengthen partnerships between subnational governments and Indigenous Peoples’ and local community-level leaders. The GCFTF IPLC Global Committee convenes regularly at both international climate and forest events as well as in GCFTF regions.
PANEL
Innovation Partnerships for Regenerative Amazonia I: Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems to Catalyze a Locally-led Socio- bioeconomy
DATE: Friday, 14 November 2025
TIME: 15:30 – 16:30 UTC-3
LOCATION: Goeldi Museum
ORGANIZERS: GCFTF, Conservation X-Labs
PANEL
Innovation Partnerships for Regenerative Amazonia II: Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems to Catalyze a Locally-led Socio- bioeconomy
DATE: Friday, 14 November 2025
TIME: 17:00 – 18:00 UTC-3
LOCATION: Goeldi Museum
ORGANIZERS: Conservation X-Labs, GCFTF