Erika Gómez is a Colombian environmental engineer based in Panama, specializing in climate change adaptation and environmental governance. Her work has focused on the design of adaptation policies and instruments, with an emphasis on water security, watershed management, and adaptation within the agricultural sector. She provided technical support for the development of the executive decree regulating national climate change adaptation and loss and damage management in Panama. This professional path led her to the Rights of Nature movement. After years of working to protect ecosystems from the impacts of climate change, she found in this approach a way to recognize nature not as a resource to be managed or adapted, but as a subject with its own intrinsic value and rights. She currently coordinates the Initiative with forNature, which is promoting a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature to be presented before the United Nations General Assembly. She holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Technological University of Panama and a specialization in Project Management from ADEN, with certification from George Washington University.

Félix Wing Solís is a Panamanian lawyer specializing in international environmental law, human rights, biodiversity governance, and environmental democracy. He holds an LL.B. from the University of Panama and an LL.M. in International Legal Studies from American University Washington College of Law, where he studied as a Fulbright-OAS Scholar. Over the past three decades, he has served in leadership positions across government, academia, civil society, and international organizations. He is currently a Member of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance of the Escazú Agreement, elected by the Conference of the Parties, and previously served as Advisor to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights. He also served as Secretary-General and Acting Deputy Minister of Environment of Panama. Félix has represented Panama in numerous international environmental processes, including the negotiations of the Escazú Agreement, which he chaired during its second negotiating meeting. He currently contributes to international efforts to develop a proposed United Nations Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature.

José Manuel Palacios has a background in environmental management with experience in science communication, environmental education, content design, and visual communication applied to biodiversity, climate change, and conservation. He has worked with institutions such as the Ministry of Environment of Panama, as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme, and the Metropolitan Natural Park, developing technical publications, infographics, educational materials, exhibitions, digital content, and graphic resources to bring scientific knowledge closer to diverse audiences. His more than 10 years of experience combine fieldwork, information curation, illustration, editorial layout, and the design of educational experiences, with a focus on making environmental information accessible to communities, decision-makers, and the general public.

Luisa Araúz is a Panamanian environmental lawyer. She has served as an advisor to Panama’s Ministers of Environment and to former legislator Juan Diego Vásquez. She has also worked with Panamanian and international NGOs, securing favorable court rulings in defense of the environment and local communities. She helped advance the ratification of the Escazú Agreement, the BBNJ Agreement, and the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. She also contributed to the development of Panama’s Rights of Nature Law, the Coral Protection Law, and legislation prohibiting the capture of marine mammals, as well as to the creation of protected areas. She currently serves as legal advisor to forNature. She earned her law degree from the Catholic University Santa María La Antigua in Panama, holds a postgraduate degree in Integrated Water Management from the International Water Centre in Australia, a master’s degree in Environmental Law from the University of Melbourne, and specialized training in Trade and Environment from the World Trade Organization.

Xiomara Acevedo Navarro is a climate justice leader, Rights of Nature advocate, and campaign strategist dedicated to advancing transformative solutions at the intersection of biodiversity, climate action, gender equality, and community-led governance. As Campaign Strategist at For Nature, she designs and leads global advocacy campaigns that elevate the Rights of Nature movement, strengthen strategic partnerships, and mobilize diverse actors to advance legal, political, and social recognition of nature’s rights. With more than a decade of experience, Xiomara has built powerful synergies among grassroots communities, Indigenous Peoples, women’s organizations, youth movements, governments, and international institutions to drive systemic environmental change and adopt innovative policies such as the Rights of Nature Subnational Strategy in Nariño, Colombia. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Barranquilla+20 Foundation, where she has empowered thousands of young people and women across Latin America and the Caribbean to lead climate and biodiversity action. Her work focuses on protecting ecosystems and biocultural territories through innovative campaigns, movement-building, climate justice advocacy, and community engagement. Recognized among Colombia’s leading changemakers, Xiomara has participated in and influenced major international processes under the United Nations Rio Conventions, bringing forward the voices of women, youth, and frontline communities.