'Turning the Tide': Aruba’s Documentary Screens at the United Nations Ocean Conference

By Anne Sewell
June 12, 2025

“Turning the Tide” is a documentary about Aruba and its local conservation efforts and is making waves at the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025. This first-of-its-kind nature restoration documentary showcases the mangrove and coral restoration efforts in Aruba, as part of a pilot project funded by the EU RESEMBID Programme. The documentary will feature at this week’s 2025 UNOC as part of a special Green Zone side-event on June 12 at the Palais des Congrès de Nice.

'Turning the Tide is a major conservation milestone in Aruba

The story told in “Turning the Tide” marks an incredible milestone, not only for the project partners, Aruba Conservation Foundation, ScubbleBubbles Foundation, the University of Aruba and Wageningen University & Research. It is also a major milestone for the community in Aruba. With its diverse ecosystems, its rich biodiversity, dedicated conservationists and resilient communities, Aruba will be front and center at one of the world’s important platforms for ocean advocacy.

[Photo credit: Aruba Tourism Authority]

The event will be hosted in the Nautilus Auditorium, with a capacity of 200 people and will run from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, including a screening of the documentary, followed by a 30-minute live discussion.

The key voice will be Rene Henkens of Wageningen University & Research, who will represent all project partners. Moreover, she will represent the Aruba Conservation Foundation and the full collaborative team.

The Green Zone is open to all conference goers, welcoming citizens, youth, civil society and authorities alike. It is a true reflection of the collaborative spirit at the heart of this pilot project that brought the community of Aruba together, for nature.

More about the documentary

“Turning the Tide” was produced in Aruba, for Aruba, and documents the restoration of Aruba’s mangroves and coral reefs over a 16-month period. From digging silt traps to deploying artificial reef structures in Marine Protected Areas (MPA), this documentary highlights both the complexity and the beauty of restoring nature.

In addition to the UNOC screening, “Turning the Tide” will also be showcased at a VIP event at Cinéma Variétés, offering high-level visibility among global ocean leaders.

Meanwhile, this opportunity marks a historic moment as Aruba’s story is going global. The UNOC screening is a testament to how small island nations can contribute to global ocean resilience. The people of Aruba should be immensely proud as this is not just a documentary; It’s the island’s voice, the island’s nature and the island’s future.

Moreover, is celebration of World Oceans Day, “Turning the Tide” is also available to the world public via the ACF YouTube channel. This invites everyone to witness a diverse and deeply committed group of islanders, united in the incredible journey to restoring nature in Aruba. Readers can watch the documentary here:

To learn more about the project and the making of the documentary, contact info@acf.aw.

: