In July 2025, the Ancestral Wisdom Forum will take place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia , as part of the broader Global Panorama Project , an SDG-driven initiative that unites arts, culture, and Indigenous leadership to address climate change through creative expression and policy engagement.

Organized by the South-South Cooperation Council (SSCC) in collaboration with UNESCO, this groundbreaking event will gather Indigenous leaders, Afro-descendant communities, youth, artists, and environmental advocates from across four continents. The Forum aims to explore how ancestral knowledge can guide humanity toward sustainable solutions, while strengthening intercultural dialogue and global cooperation.

The event will be hosted at the Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española , located within the historic Santo Domingo Convent — a symbolic space where cultural heritage meets international action for sustainability.

Key highlights include:

• Interdisciplinary panels on cosmogony, biocultural heritage, and spiritual responses to environmental crisis
• The unveiling of the exhibition “The Black Line” , documenting the sacred territorial system of the Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
• A focus on the upcoming COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and the role of Indigenous voices in shaping climate policy
• The adoption of the Cartagena Declaration on Ancestral Wisdom for Environmental Protection , which will serve as a foundational document for future editions of the programme

This Forum is more than a gathering — it is a vital step in recognizing the power of ancestral wisdom in confronting today’s environmental and spiritual challenges. It also serves as a core activity of the Global Panorama Project , which seeks to integrate cultural and artistic expression into global climate action strategies, including participation in the NGO Pavilion at COP30 .

As part of the Panorama Project, contributions from the Forum will be featured on the Panorama Portal , a digital platform showcasing global artistic and cultural responses to climate change. Selected content may also be exhibited during international events, including the next Ancestral Wisdom Forum in Manila, Philippines, in April 2026.

👉 Learn more about the Ancestral Wisdom Forum and how to participate at ancestralwisdomforum.org