Enviro News Asia, Jakarta –The Ministry of Forestry, together with the organizing committee of the International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) 2025, held the National Forestry Symposium under the theme “Green Heroes: Achieving Net Zero Emission for Sustainable Forestry” at Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday (August 19, 2025).
The event brought together more than 300 participants from 21 countries, including representatives from government, the private sector, civil society organizations, academia, and global forestry students.
This symposium marked the culmination of IFSS 2025 Indonesia, a 14-day program that included field visits to Bogor, Yogyakarta, Makassar, Maros, and Takalar.
The forum addressed various strategic issues through plenary sessions, abstract presentations, and thematic discussions, focusing on three main areas: forest multibusiness, social forestry, and technology for conservation. The symposium is expected to generate concrete ideas to support sustainable forest management and Indonesia’s FoLU Net Sink 2030 target.
In her opening remarks, IFSS 2025 Director Lutfiyyah Roihanah highlighted the importance of the forum as a cross-country learning platform.
“This symposium brings together future forestry professionals from around the world to discuss how to design forest management with maximum impact,” she stated.
This perspective was further reinforced by the Indonesian government, which emphasized the strategic role of young generations in addressing global environmental challenges.
In the keynote speech, the Ministry of Forestry stressed that the involvement of students and young professionals is not only vital for building international networks but also key to driving innovation, accelerating climate action, and integrating sustainable forestry into both national and global policies.
Novia Widyaningtyas, Expert Staff for Forestry Industry Revitalization at the Ministry of Forestry, underlined the role of young people in tackling the global environmental crisis.
“The presence of more than 100 students from various countries reflects the awareness and readiness of the younger generation to become catalysts for change. They are expected to actively contribute, both in local initiatives and global policy,” Novia said.
She also reaffirmed Indonesia’s climate commitment:
“Indonesia is determined to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 or sooner. We are strengthening social forestry, mangrove rehabilitation, and forest multibusiness. All of this is being pursued through collaboration between government, academia, the private sector, communities, and of course, the younger generation,” she added.
The event concluded with a thematic discussion session on social forestry and forestry technology, involving participants from 21 countries. (***)
