The 16th Annual Meeting of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF Task Force), hosted by Governor Luis Francisco Ruiz Aguilar took place in Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia from May 18 – 22, 2026. Known as the “Green Treasure of Colombia,” the Department of Caquetá bridges the Andes foothills and the Amazon rainforest and is renowned for its rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources.
This global event brought together climate leaders from subnational governments, national governments, civil society, IPLCs, and the private sector. The theme of our 16th Annual Meeting was “New Forest Economy for Climate Action: Territorial Development and Innovation” and served to advance our goal of building a New Forest Economy that protects intact forests, restores degraded lands, and creates just and sustainable jobs and economic opportunities across the tropics.
Please see below for our agenda, and stay tuned for updated participant lists, announcements, and meeting results!
Host
- Governor Luis Francisco Ruíz Aguilar – Caquetá, Colombia
Participants
Governors/Vice-Governors
Bolivia
- Pando – Governor Gabriela de Paiva
- Santa Cruz – Vice-Governor Paola Aguirre
- Tarija – Vice-Governor Gonzalo Avila Sanchez
Colombia
- Amazonas – Governor Oscar Sánchez Guerrero
- Caqueta – Governor Luis Francisco Ruíz Aguilar
- Guainía – Governor Arnulfo Rivera Naranjo
- Guaviare – Interim Governor Zulma Natali Bohórquez
- Putumayo – Governor Jhon Gabriel Molina Acosta
- Valle del Cauca – Governor Dillian Francisca Toro
- Choco – Governor Nubia Cordoba Curi
- Tolima – Governor Adriana Magali Matiz (Vice-President of Federación Nacional de Departamentos)
Cote d’Ivoire
- Bélier – Vice-président ATTOUMBGRE Rovia Roger
- Cavally – Vice-président Joseph GOULOTEHE
Ecuador
- Napo – Vice-Prefect Natalia Rosa Tanguila Grefa
Peru
- Huánuco – Governor Antonio Pulgar Lucas
- La Libertad – Governor Joana Cabrera Pimentel
- Loreto – Governor Jorge René Chávez Silvano
- Piura – Governor Nuis Neyra León
- San Martin – Vice-governor Rosa Olguita Celiz Cruz
Agenda
Monday, May 18
8:30 – 12:30
Technical Meeting – Global Committee of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
(Closed Session; By Invite Only)
14:00 – 18:00
Executive Committee Meeting
(Closed Session; By Invite Only)
20:00
GCFTF Delegate Dinner
(By Invite Only)
20:00
Dinner of the Committees
(By Invite Only)
Tuesday, May 19
09:00 – 17:00
Business Meeting/General Assembly
(Closed Session; By Invite Only)
20:00
Assembly Dinner
(By Invite Only)
Wednesday, May 20
08:00 - 17:00
Field Visits (8 routes)
(Registration Required)
The Government of Caquetá has curated a series of technical field visits for the participants of the annual meeting, offering a unique opportunity to explore firsthand innovative projects driving the New Forest Economy in the Colombian Amazon region. The visits highlight successful territorial management efforts and sustainable practices in forest conservation, community development, and bioeconomy production. The visits will also provide a hands-on learning experience, highlighting both challenges and successes in the region, and will feed into the working sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday. More details to follow.
20:00
Opening Reception
(By Invite Only)
Thursday, May 21
ALL DAY
World Cafe & Partner Booths
(Open to the Public)
Networking and coffee with opportunities to meet GCFTF member jurisdictions, partners, and local artisans.
09:00 – 11:40
Inaugural Session
13:00 – 14:30
New Forest Economy Working Session A, Part I
The GCFTF is organizing a series of working sessions in order to bring experts from government, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, industry, private sector and investment leaders, civil society, academic, and research institutions together to co-construct targeted, New Forest Economy investment and capacity mechanisms in GCFTF member jurisdictions. More details to follow.
Working session themes:
Establishing a Thriving Bioeconomy: Socio-Bioeconomy Development
Sustaining Natural Infrastructure: Advances in JREDD+
Restoration and Resilience: Integrated Fire Management
Sustainable Commodities: Overcoming Traceability Challenges
Enabling Conditions for the New Forest Economy: Tackling Forest Illegality
15:30 – 16:30
New Forest Economy Working Session A, Part II
16:45 – 18:45
Panels & Key Announcements
20:00
Networking Dinner
(By Invite Only)
Friday, May 22
ALL DAY
World Cafe & Partner Booths
(Open to the Public)
Networking and coffee with opportunities to meet GCFTF member jurisdictions, partners, and local artisans.
09:00 10:15
Panel & Key Announcements
11:30 – 13:00
New Forest Economy Working Session B, Part I
The GCFTF is organizing a series of working sessions in order to bring experts from government, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, industry, private sector and investment leaders, civil society, academic, and research institutions together to co-construct targeted, New Forest Economy investment and capacity mechanisms in GCFTF member jurisdictions. More details to follow.
Working session themes:
Establishing a Thriving Bioeconomy: Socio-Bioeconomy Development
Sustaining Natural Infrastructure: Building Trust Funds
Restoration and Resilience: Restoring Strategic Ecosystems
Sustainable Commodities: Regenerative Approaches
Enabling Conditions for the New Forest Economy: Green Transportation Planning; Non-Timber Forest Products
14:30 – 15:30
New Forest Economy Working Session B, Part II
15:50 – 17:00
Panel & Key Announcements
17:00 – 18:00
Closing Ceremony
20:00
Closing Dinner
(By Invite Only)
