FAO Rome and Conaf strengthen climate action in Los Ríos with +Bosques Project mission

With the aim of learning firsthand about the progress of the National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetational Resources (ENCCRV) led by the National Forest Corporation, Conaf, and its +Bosques Project —an initiative with technical support from FAO and funding from the Green Climate Fund— a delegation of FAO Rome representatives, Conaf authorities, and ENCCRV management teams is conducting a working mission in the Los Ríos Region until May 29.

The visit is headed by Lucio Santos, Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the +Bosques Project; María García, alternate LTO; and Simone Quaquarelli, climate finance specialist from FAO Rome and direct liaison with the Green Climate Fund, alongside Aida Baldini, Executive Director of Conaf. The mission aims to create spaces for exchange with regional authorities, territorial teams, beneficiaries, and local stakeholders involved in its implementation.

Conaf's regional director, Oscar Droguett Iturra, highlighted that "during this week we will welcome representatives from FAO Rome, Conaf authorities, and ENCCRV management teams. We will tour the Huillilemu Nursery, the new seed center, and properties of strategy beneficiaries. This mission reaffirms the institutional commitment to climate action, ecosystem restoration, and the strengthening of territorial work that Chile promotes towards sustainable management of vegetational resources."

One of the main milestones will be the twelfth session of the +Bosques Project Steering Committee, led by Conaf's Executive Director, Aida Baldini; FAO Representative in Chile, Maya Takagi; and María Paz Gutiérrez, Head of Sustainable Finance at the Ministry of Finance and focal point for the Green Climate Fund. There, progress, goal achievement, and challenges will be reviewed to consolidate the sustainability of the actions promoted by the ENCCRV.

The mission takes place at a key moment for the +Bosques Project, which, after more than five years of implementation, records significant progress and consolidates itself as one of the REDD+ payment-for-results initiatives with the highest level of progress worldwide.