In July 2025, the Forum “The Value of Ancestral Wisdom for Environmental Protection” was held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia—a global gathering that brought together Indigenous leaders, Afro-descendant communities, and youth to share ancestral knowledge for environmental protection.
The event took place at the Training Center of Spanish Cooperation in Cartagena de Indias, an iconic venue located within the Convent of Santo Domingo.
Organized by the South-South Cooperation Council for Sustainable Development (SSCC) in collaboration with UNESCO, Sparks Finance Group, OptiCloud, IQ Hall and other strategic partners, the Forum featured five thematic panels addressing topics ranging from sustainability and biocultural heritage to the contemporary environmental and spiritual crisis. The event included the participation of Indigenous leaders from the Amazon and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Afro-Colombian authorities from San Basilio de Palenque, academics, young leaders, and representatives of civil society.
During the Forum, the Cartagena Resolution was adopted, laying the groundwork for future editions, including the next Forum in Manila in 2026, during the Philippines’ presidency of ASEAN.
This program aimed to build a lasting platform for intercultural dialogue and collective action inspired by ancestral wisdom.
