The event will be a hands-on workshop aimed at addressing the shortcomings of coral reef conservation in Latin America. It will focus on both practical skills and innovative solutions to the challenges faced in preserving these critical ecosystems. The insights gathered will be used in the development of a new strategy for coral reef conservation in the region, which will include advocacy and strategic litigation as main tools.

As part of Goal 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in Kunming-Montreal, which primarily aims to "ensure and enable that by 2030, at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas are conserved," this event will be framed within a discussion panel featuring national and international organizations, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, INVEMAR, National Natural Parks of Colombia, and UNESCO. The panel will highlight the role of oceanic science and its relation to the various actions needed to achieve the 2030 goals, as well as the actions proposed under several initiatives. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that it’s not just about Marine Protected Areas; other protection categories must be considered to ensure proper management through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems.

The event will focus on sharing over three decades of research and monitoring experiences related to coral reefs in Colombia. Key topics will include the current state of local coral reefs, the threats they face, monitoring protocols used, and future perspectives for effective ecosystem management. The panel offers a valuable opportunity to highlight Colombia's commitment to coral reef knowledge and conservation, reflected in its participation in global initiatives like the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). Experts from research institutes and academia and representatives from local communities will contribute a comprehensive and collaborative perspective to promote adaptive management of coral reefs at national, regional, and global levels.

This event features a panel discussion on the stressors accelerating Caribbean coral reef decline, including bleaching and diseases, and how these are affecting reef functionality, impacting local livelihoods and economies. Experts will provide insights on actions taken in the USA, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Colombia to monitor and mitigate these threats. Attendees will engage in an interactive dialogue, fostering collaboration between researchers, academia, and marine resource managers. The focus will be on proposing comprehensive strategies for conservation and restoration to safeguard biodiversity and sustain ecosystem services vital to local communities.

The panel discussion will focus on sharing experiences, lessons, and insights from marine-coastal ecosystem restoration projects in Colombia, with a primary emphasis on coral reefs. This event aims to bring together key stakeholders involved in the research, care, and restoration of these ecosystems, including NGOs, research institutes, and representatives from local communities, fostering the exchange of scientific, technical, cultural, and ancestral knowledge.

The event will begin with a panel discussion featuring the documentary's producers, coral reef experts, activists, and community leaders who will discuss the challenges and opportunities for conserving coral reef ecosystems. After the panel discussion, there will be the screening of the documentary "Saving Atlantis," which explores the critical state of coral reefs and global efforts for their conservation.