Panel Discussion

Panel 1 : Monitoring Technology to Achieve 30x30 Biodiversity Conservation Target

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve at least 30% of the planet by 2030 (30x30). Achieving this target requires appropriate, adaptive, and inclusive monitoring technologies. Knowledge institutions in various countries have developed monitoring technologies for biodiversity protection. How these technologies can be effectively adopted by governments is the main question. This panel presents the latest developments in biodiversity monitoring technology and discusses the best methods to make the technology applicable to stakeholders.

Panel 2 : Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban landscapes

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are expected to ensure urban and landscape planning and design work on biodiversity and social-cultural inclusive development. Urban infrastructure development planning, especially in disaster-prone areas, needs to integrate a nature-based approach, especially in disaster-prone areas. Many cities are now using this approach in their infrastructure design. The integration of "green and blue zones” in the urban landscape is the main goal. This panel will discuss the dynamic concept of NbS as well as various initiatives and challenges in its implementation.

Panel 3 : Coastal Forest and Urban Development 

Urban planning needs to pay attention to blue zones on the coast. But, the conversion of coastal forests is mostly due to the expansion or construction of new cities. Urban development in coastal areas is often at the expense of natural vegetation such as mangroves. In some places, municipality governments must also provide alternative livelihoods for their coastal residents to support local economic sustainability and environmental protection. This panel discusses policies, challenges, and innovations for improving coastal forests in urbanized areas.

Panel 4 : Sustainable (Peri) Urban Agriculture and Food Forest

The agriculture and food sectors significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting the agricultural paradigm to sustainable and climate-smart agriculture is an urgent issue at present. Awareness of sustainable food systems has fostered the trend of urban agriculture with its "from garden to table" movement. However, the problem is that city development is very dynamic. Peri urban areas could be administratively part of the city but the agricultural culture could still be traditional. This panel will discuss the challenges of transforming urban agriculture development in peri-urban and urban areas. It will also focus on the resilience of urban agriculture that has to deal with degraded land. Is a food forest the right solution?

Panel 5 : Citizen Science in Forest and Biodiversity Protection

Restoring degraded ecosystems requires a robust body of knowledge. Unfortunately, participatory approaches in many restoration projects have not ⁰consolidated citizen's knowledge. There is an urgent need for the involvement of (local) people in citizen science projects via co-creation processes for various subjects such as biodiversity inventory, protection of threatened species, and (local) uses of various species. The current development of digital communication technology should facilitate the dissemination of such knowledge. This panel discusses the concepts, experiences, and challenges of building citizen science in ecosystem restoration.

Panel 6 : Local Tradition, Practical Knowledge, and Ecosystem Restoration: Lesson Learned from Policy, Practices, and Methodology

The loss and degradation of tropical forests mean both a threat to biodiversity and in many cases, the disappearance of forest-related traditions and practical knowledge of community pivotal to a mutual life-giving relationship between humans and the environment. Both state-led intervention and private/NGO programs that aim to restore forest ecosystems often overlook how to safeguard, utilize, and enrich existing traditions and knowledge practices by communities surrounding forests. This panel will discuss how policy and programs of cultural protection,  revitalization, and collaboration initiatives are integrated into forest restoration projects in different countries and what the challenges are. It is also welcome to the discussion on lessons learned from policy-making and implementation; appropriate community engagement; and the best action research methodologies.

Panel 7 : Understanding Co-benefits of Urban Forest and Its Contribution toward Net Zero

Promoting forest city development is highly important but challenging, particularly to convince policymakers, developers, land owners, and the community to embrace the concept firmly. Understanding co-benefits is imperative to balance the dominant economic thought and practice. Although the benefits of such a concept are well perceived including its potential contribution to achieve net zero, there are remaining gaps that need to be strengthened. This panel welcomes the city’s government officials, scientists, and practitioners to share their experience in (1) how to measure co-benefits of urban forest, (2) what are effective tools or methodologies available to do so, and (3) what are key drivers to support mainstreaming co-benefits of urban forest in urban development and management practices. 

Panel 8 : Transformation of Degraded Post-mining Land to Productive Landscape

The mining industry has been regarded as a destructive industry potentially causing biodiversity loss, land degradation, and soil and water pollution in Indonesia.  For the last 15 years, the Indonesian government has imposed the toughest regulations to minimize the negative impact of mining and to restore the degraded land due to mining.  In 2018, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources released a new regulation that opens the opportunity to utilize post-mining sites in non-state forest areas to be utilized for other uses, such as agriculture, livestock production, eco-tourism, etc.  Significant progress has been made in the restoration of degraded post-mining sites to conserve native tree species, as well as for other uses.  This panel will present the current development of post-mining land restoration in Indonesia and some experiences will be presented by mining companies and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.  It is expected that similar efforts and experiences will also be presented by researchers and mining companies from other countries.