International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) 2025“Green heroes: Achieving Net Zero Emission for Sustainable Forestry”

Press Release International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) 2025

“Green heroes: Achieving Net Zero Emission for Sustainable Forestry”

IFSA LC UGM

Author: Ahmad Kautsar Riza Al Farros

Picture 1. Indonesian Delegates from IFSA LC UGM, UNHAS, ULM, and IPB at the Ministry of Forestry

As an annual event, International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) 2025 serves as a platform for members of IFSA from across the globe to gather, learn, and collaborate. This year, the IFSS took place in Indonesia from August 17th to August 30th. IFSA LC UGM, as part of IFSA Asia-Pacific, actively participates by sending delegates each year to explore the forest conditions, forest policy, and management practices in the IFSS agenda. This year, IFSA LC UGM proudly hosted the 53rd IFSS  and sent a delegate, Ahmad Kautsar Riza Al Farros, to represent the local committee.

Picture 2. National Symposium at the Ministry of Forestry

Held under the theme “Green Heroes: Achieving Net Zero Emission for Sustainable Forestry,” Kautsar represented IFSA LC UGM by presenting a The impact of Indigenous forest managed by Indigenous people on the advancement of forest conservation in Indonesia, titled “Wonosadi Indigenous Forest: A Step Towards Forest Conservation in Indonesia.” The presentation highlights the spirit and commitment of indigenous people in Wonosadi indigenous forest, which remains preserved amid the modernization around it, with the aim of conserving the forest and preserving their traditions through the regular implementation of Sadranan ceremony. Sadranan ceremonies are deeply rooted in both cultural tradition and ecological stewardship, ensuring the protection and sustainability of the forest. The role of IFSA LC UGM was to enhance knowledge and capacity building, provide support for ecotourism, and develop ecotourism there.

Picture 3. IFSA LC UGM Delegate Presented in IPLCs Session

Several tours and excursions were conducted during IFSS Indonesia 2025. These included visits to the Ministry of Forestry, forestry institutions: IPB University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Universitas Hasanuddin, along with their respective educational forests, such as Gunung Walat Educational Forest, Wanagama, and UNHAS forest, as well as other notable sites such as Bogor Botanical Garden, cultural sites in Yogyakarta, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, Rammang-Rammang Ecotourism, and many more. During the visit to the Ministry of Forestry, a National Symposium was convened at the Manggala Wanabakti Hall. The event featured several sessions, including two plenary sessions with distinct themes and speakers. This was followed by chamber sessions focusing on two main topics: Social Forestry and Technology & Forestry. The delegates from IFSA LC UGM elected to participate in the Social Forestry topic. This special occasion brought together government, academia, private sectors, NGOs, and youth to shape the future of Indonesia's forestry sector.

Moreover, delegates gained profound insights into the diverse forest characteristics across Indonesia, noting significant vegetative differences between the various education forests and national parks, as well as the unique forest management practices specific to each region. Highlights included witnessing the active resin harvesting at Gunung Walat Education Forest and learning about Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) management at Wanagama Education Forest, specifically the harvesting of wild honey and the production of commercially sold cajuput oil. Additionally, the itinerary included a visit to Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, a heaven for various butterfly species and other wildlife.

Picture 4. Kautsar participated in excursions in Gunung Walat Educational Forest, and Wanagama Educational Forest.

As a cultural event, we also had an international night, which was a place for delegates to show their culture, national identity, and the uniqueness of their country. During the session, Indonesian delegates wore traditional attire, as well as Kautsar wearing a beautiful modern batik benang bintik from central borneo. Kautsar also brought traditional accessories and snacks from Yogyakarta to introduce the uniqueness of Indonesian cultures. Moreover, Indonesian delegates presented the diverse regional backgrounds of our delegates, including South Sulawesi, Bali, Central Borneo, and West Java and a special performance of the Maumere dance, which is a traditional dance from East Nusa Tenggara. All of the delegates were really excited to dance along.

Picture 5. Indonesia delegates’ booth at International Night (left), group photo of all IFSS 2025 delegates who attended International Night.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, key IFSA agenda items were also executed, such as the selection of the host for the upcoming IFSS 2027, IFSA General Assembly, which was convened across four sessions at different venues: IPB University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Hasanuddin University. The General Assembly was presided over by the Board of IFSA World, who served as the moderator for these sessions. Key topics discussed included annual achievements, work programs, the election of the next president, and the announcement of the next presidency.

Picture 6. IFSA General Assembly

While in Makassar, we visited Rammang-Rammang, located in Maros Regency. Rammang-rammang was nearly exploited for mining by three Chinese companies around 2010, locals rejected it and transformed the area into a tourist site starting in 2014, formalized by village regulations in 2015. Development accelerated via social media, boosting visitors to 600-700 on weekends, with community-managed boats, guides, and homestays. The visit to Rammang-Rammang provided many insights, particularly regarding the determination of local residents who fought against destructive illegal mining. Their sustainable management efforts ultimately transformed the area into an educational tourism site that was highly popular among tourists from diverse backgrounds.

Picture 7. Rammang-rammang karst landscape

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to PT. Sampoerna Agro Tbk., Fakultas Kehutanan Universitas Gadjah Mada, IFSS Funding, and IFSA LC UGM family, which have made a significant contribution to supporting us in this event. Also, we really appreciate all of the support from each party that gives us mental support, kind suggestions, and many more. As delegate, we truly appreciate the chance to learn from their experiences and observe the other countries in managing sustainable forests. The insights and motivation we received will surely shape our initiatives in fostering sustainability in our communities.