Acre makes progress in preparations to host the 15th Annual Meeting of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCFTF) in May
The GCFTF is excited for our upcoming 15th Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 19-23, 2025, in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. As the below press release highlights (see original in Portuguese here), this year’s Chair and host are making good progress in preparing for the meeting:
In a meeting held on Thursday, January 23, at the Rio Branco Palace, Governor Gladson Cameli and GCFTF project director, Colleen Scanlan Lyons, aligned important details for the 15th Annual Meeting of the GCFTF, which will take place from May 19 to 23 at the Convention Center of the Federal University of Acre (Ufac), in Rio Branco. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary for the Environment, Leonardo Carvalho.
The meeting marked a step forward in preparations for the event, which is expected to bring together around 500 participants, including 260 GCFTF members, including governors, environmental secretaries, environmentalists, experts and environmental investors from 11 countries.
During the meeting, the central themes of the event were discussed, which will have revolve around creating a new forest economy. Cameli pointed out that preparations for hotel infrastructure, transportation and entertainment are already at an advanced stage, guaranteeing a quality experience for participants.
“We want to show the world that Acre is an example of environmental preservation balanced with economic and social development. This event will be a milestone in reaffirming our commitment to the future of the planet,” said the governor.
Colleen Scanlan Lyons, for her part, stressed the GCFTF’s commitment to attracting environmentalists, investors and donors to the event, seeking to strengthen discussions and expand opportunities for international cooperation. “This will be a strategic meeting to strengthen global actions to combat climate change, and Acre, with its history of preservation, is the ideal place to host it,” she said.
Acre’s leading role on the environmental scene
With 85% of its forest preserved and pioneering policies such as the Plan to Prevent and Combat Deforestation (PPCDQ) and the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), Acre has consolidated its position as a leader in the sustainability debate. The state also has 90% of its territory registered in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and promotes forest recovery through agroforestry systems (SAFs).
Governor Gladson Cameli emphasized the importance of the event as an important step towards strengthening international relations and the strategic positioning of Acre on the global environmental stage. He also stressed that the meeting will be a preparation for the UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 30), which will take place in Pará at the end of the year.
“The 15th Annual Meeting of the GCFTF is a unique opportunity for us to reinforce Acre’s role as a protagonist in climate discussions. We will mobilize governors, secretaries and the federal government to ensure that this is a historic and transformative event,” said Cameli.
With significant progress and a robust agenda, the Acre government is reaffirming its commitment to environmental preservation, sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation on climate change.
Stay tuned for more updates as the meeting approaches!