Researchers, activists and practitioners from 12 countries gathered for the International Conference on Forest City (ICFC), organized by the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority (OIKN) at Mulawarman University in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on May 29-30.

Myrna Safitri, Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources at OIKN, highlighted that the conference serves as a platform for participants from countries including the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Thailand to discuss the sustainable development of forest cities.

The event aims to share insights and constructive feedback on forest city concepts using accountable methodologies.

The conference featured various activities such as field visits to the IKN, seminars, public lectures, and panel discussions.

A day before the conference, participants visited the Tropical Rainforest Miniature in Nusantara and Bukit Bangkirai, where they planted trees and released 30 endemic bird species, offering a firsthand look at the local forest conditions and challenges.

The initiative aimed to provide a realistic perspective on the issues faced by forests in IKN, grounding the discussions in direct observation.

Professor Esti Handayani Hardi of Mulawarman University noted the high enthusiasm among academics and the public for ICFC, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in developing Nusantara.

Professor Rudianto Amirta, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at Mulawarman University, welcomed the conference, aligning it with the university's long-standing focus on forestry studies. He anticipated the publication of over 100 scientific documents on forest city concepts as a result of the conference.

ICFC, held on May 29-30, 2024, at Mulawarman University's Samarinda Hub, featured 170 panelists and speakers from various educational institutions, NGOs, companies, and the general public, contributing to the global discussion on sustainable urban forestry.