Makassar, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education — SEAMEO BIOTROP is a regional institution responsible for research, training, and disseminating information in the field of tropical biology. SEAMEO BIOTROP operates under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).

In collaboration with Hasanuddin University, SEAMEO BIOTROP organized the Regional Seminar and Training on Artificial Lakes, titled “Water and Land in Harmony: Approaches to Restoring Degraded Ecosystems” in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

During the event, Elis Rosdiawati, the acting director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, expressed her hope that the seminar and training would enhance stakeholders' capacity to integrate water and land management for restoring degraded ecosystems, particularly peatlands and wetlands.

"This seminar can serve as a global forum for sharing knowledge, technology, policies, and best practices in sustainable ecosystem restoration," Elis said.

She also noted that the seminar aims to improve participants' understanding of and ability to apply integrated water and land management approaches to support the sustainable restoration of peatlands and wetlands.

The event was attended by 333 online participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, and India. Additionally, 43 participants attended in person at the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) Auditorium of Hasanuddin University. In his opening remarks, the rector of Hasanuddin University, Jamaluddin Jompa, emphasized the importance of continuing the collaboration between UNHAS and SEAMEO BIOTROP in supporting sustainable natural resource management.

Furthermore, Nasrum Massi, the Head of LPPM UNHAS, stressed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. According to Massi, exploring integrated and community-based scientific approaches to ecosystem restoration requires the involvement of all stakeholders.

The seminar featured several speakers sharing their knowledge, including Amirul Al-Ashraf Balakrishnan Bin Abdullah from Malaysia, who is also a member of the SEAMEO BIOTROP Governing Board, Syarifah Ab Rashid from University Sains Malaysia, Irdika Mansur from IPB University, as well as Risa Rosita and Dewi Suryani from SEAMEO BIOTROP. From Hasanuddin University, Siti Halimah Larekeng and Retno Prayudyaningsih also attended.

Meanwhile, SEAMEO BIOTROP Deputy Director for Programs Doni Yusri, who also served as a speaker on the topic of “National and Global Policies for Peatland and Wetland Restoration” said that Indonesia has experienced a significant decline in peatlands, prompting restoration efforts through national and global policies such as REDD+ and the Ramsar Convention.

The program continued on the second day with in-person technical training and concluded on the third day with a field visit to the Lantebung Mangrove Area.