Key Impact Points:
- Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez will lead the Nature Summit, the only high-level forum during UNFCCC’s Global Climate Week.
- The summit will unite governments, private sector leaders, philanthropists, and civil society to scale nature-based solutions ahead of COP30.
- SDG News & Panama’s National Climate Director Calls for Speakers at Nature Summit
SDG Spotlight: Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez
Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Panama’s Special Representative for Climate Change and National Climate Change Director, will head the upcoming Nature Summit—an unprecedented global gathering taking place in Panama City from May 19–22, 2025, alongside the UNFCCC’s inaugural Global Climate Week.
In this role, Monterrey Gómez leads Panama’s climate policy efforts both domestically and internationally and serves as Head of Delegation for the UN negotiations on Climate, Biodiversity, Desertification, and the INC Plastic Treaty.
“Panama will not only host Climate Week and the Nature Summit, but it is also marking the beginning of a new era in which nature is positioned as the most valuable asset. With more than 50% of our oceans and 30% of our land area protected, we demonstrate that conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.”
From Policy to Global Platforms
Monterrey Gómez previously served as Executive President at Climate Resilient, a climate policy think-tank in the Dominican Republic, and Geoversity: Nature’s University. His tenure as Panama’s Lead Negotiator and Global Vice Chair for Implementation (SBI) at the UN Climate Convention positioned him as a pivotal voice in international climate policymaking and national politics in Panama.
He co-authored Panama’s national carbon market decrees and standards and led the youngest delegation in the history of the UN climate talks at COP26 in Glasgow. His contributions have been recognized by global media outlets including the Washington Post, TIME, Forbes, Financial Times, Reuters, Revista Factor de Éxito, Mongabay, Deutsche Welle, and Quartz.
Monterrey Gómez was nominated for the Pritzker Environmental Genius Award, personally endorsed by acclaimed television producer Shonda Rhimes, and was honored as an Inaugural Obama Foundation Scholar in 2018. He was also the keynote speaker for Panama’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2021.
About the Nature Summit
Hosted by the Government of Panama, the Nature Summit will be the only major global forum during Global Climate Week for leaders outside the formal UN process to gather and collaborate. It will bring together governments, private sector executives, philanthropists, and civil society in the same room to forge public-private-philanthropic partnerships that scale nature-based solutions and accelerate climate finance heading into COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The summit agenda is built around three thematic days—Blue Economy, Green Economy, and a Day of Action—and will spotlight catalytic investment opportunities and the role of island and frontline nations.
Related Article: Panama’s Nature Summit Takes Center Stage as UNFCCC Global Climate Week forgoes Official Side Events
Panama’s Minister of Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro, stated:
“Panama is a bridge between continents and a global leader in environmental stewardship. Hosting the Nature Summit alongside the UNFCCC’s Global Climate Week allows us to bring together key stakeholders across government, finance, and industry to accelerate investment in nature-based solutions. We are committed to leveraging our position as a net-negative emission country to scale solutions that not only protect biodiversity and combat climate change but also drive sustainable economic growth.”
Strategic Venue and Global Partnerships
The Nature Summit will be held at the Biomuseo—Panama’s Biodiversity Museum—designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean and Panama’s biodiversity, the venue reflects the summit’s goal of scaling the nature-based economy.
Confirmed speakers include Robert Mærsk Uggla, Chairman of Mærsk, and Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, Speaker of Parliament for the Kingdom of Tonga.
The summit is co-hosted by PVBLIC Foundation and Global Resilience Partners. Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation, said:
“The Nature Summit is not just another conference—it is a catalyst for capital deployment. By bringing together governments, private sector leaders, and philanthropic partners, we are creating a space where financial commitments can be structured into real investments. This is about mobilizing capital at scale to accelerate climate solutions.”
Amir Dossal, Vice-Chairman of Global Resilience Partners and Founder of Global Partnerships Forum, added:
“Tackling the environmental challenges of our time requires an unprecedented level of collaboration between governments, businesses, and impact-driven investors. The Nature Summit will provide a platform where these key players can align their efforts to develop actionable, nature-based solutions. This summit is an opportunity to drive meaningful change at scale, and we are proud to co-host this initiative in Panama.”
Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD), established by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund and PVBLIC Foundation, will also play a key role in mobilizing family offices from around the world to invest in nature-based solutions.
SDG News Named Official Media Partner
SDG News is proud to serve as the Official Media Partner for the Nature Summit. Our team will deliver in-depth coverage of key announcements, strategic partnerships, and high-level discussions, ensuring that insights from the summit reach a global audience of decision-makers.
