As the South-South Cooperation Council (SSCC) continues to foster knowledge exchange between nations in the Americas, Asia, and Africa, we recognize that indigenous communities have long demonstrated deep environmental wisdom, often surpassing modern technological approaches to sustainability.

In response to this, SSCC is launching a landmark multiyear program dedicated to showcasing and promoting ancestral indigenous knowledge for environmental protection. This initiative will debut with an international forum in Cartagena on July 1-2, 2025, with a special focus on the Sierra Nevada’s indigenous communities. Additionally, it will feature insights from First Nations in Canada and the United States, as well as examples from Central and South America and the Philippines.

A Prestigious Venue and Support

SSCC is honored to host the forum at the Cooperación Española headquarters in Cartagena, housed in the historic Santo Domingo Monastery within the city’s walled district. We extend our gratitude to the Government of Spain for offering this prestigious venue, as well as to our key sponsors, Mark Sparks and Vijay Karia from the United States. A special acknowledgment also goes to Claudia Turbay, SSCC’s Director of External Affairs, and Yves Demengue, who played a pivotal role in initiating the program.