Enviro News Asia, Yogyakarta — The Ministry of Forestry expressed full support for The 7th Wood and Biofiber International Conference (WOBIC) 2025, held at Loman Park Hotel, Yogyakarta, on October 7–9, 2025. The international scientific forum was organized by the Institute of Plantation Technology (INSTIPER) Yogyakarta in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), carrying the theme “Advancing Tropical Wood, Fibre, and Sustainable Landscape for Planetary Health.”
The conference brought together participants from six countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, France, the Philippines, Nigeria, and China — featuring 66 oral presentations and 18 scientific posters, most of which were contributed by INSTIPER students. WOBIC 2025 served as a platform for researchers, academics, students, forestry industry practitioners, and policymakers to exchange innovations and research findings in tropical wood, biofiber, and sustainable landscape management.
Representing the Minister of Forestry, Senior Advisor to the Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs, Fahrizal Fitri, stated that the event represents a tangible form of international collaboration that aligns with global challenges concerning tropical natural resources and planetary health.
“The Indonesian government welcomes scientific forums such as WOBIC, which encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovation, and technology in tropical forest and biofiber management. This initiative is in line with the national agenda to build a green economy and strengthen climate resilience,” said Fahrizal (Oct 7).
Meanwhile, Fariha Wilisiani, Chairman and Organizing Committee of WOBIC 2025 and Vice-Rector for Cooperation at INSTIPER, emphasized the importance of synergy between INSTIPER and UPM in organizing the conference.
“WOBIC is a real manifestation of international academic partnership. Through this forum, INSTIPER provides opportunities for lecturers and students to publish their research at the global level,” she explained.
Harsawardana, Rector of INSTIPER Yogyakarta, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between INSTIPER and UPM, which has been strengthened through various joint initiatives, including faculty training, collaborative research, and international seminars.
“This collaboration is key to optimizing shared resources and reinforcing Indonesia’s position in tropical forestry research,” he noted.
WOBIC 2025 also featured keynote and plenary speakers from international academia and industry, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and several national forestry companies. As a symbolic opening, participants played otok-otok, a traditional bamboo instrument representing collective enthusiasm to sustainably preserve tropical biodiversity.
To conclude the event, participants conducted a field trip to Mangunan Pine Forest and Sepanjang Beach in Gunung Kidul to observe practical examples of forest-based and coastal sustainable ecotourism. (*)
