06 February 2026
Mutia Sukma Dilla S.S.I
 (Presentation) (1).webp)
Medan, Indonesia – February 5, 2026 — The Postgraduate School of Universitas Sumatera Utara successfully organized the 4th International Conference on Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (ICNRSD) 2026 at Grandhika Hotel Medan, gathering academics, researchers, and practitioners from 15 countries to discuss sustainable solutions for managing natural resources and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Carrying the theme “Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: Tackling Environmental Degradation and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience,” the conference served as a global forum to exchange knowledge, research findings, and policy perspectives aimed at addressing environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic sustainability challenges.
Participants from Australia, Russia, Iraq, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Italy, Jordan, India, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan attended the conference both offline and online, reflecting the event’s strong international engagement and collaborative spirit. The conference opened with welcoming and opening remarks from governor or SUMUT Province, university leaders and the organizing committee, highlighting the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated approaches to natural resource governance in the face of accelerating environmental pressures and global climate risks.
The conference featured distinguished keynote speakers from leading international institutions who presented diverse perspectives on sustainability and ecosystem resilience.
Prof. Akihisa Mori from Kyoto University discussed governance challenges in Indonesia’s nickel industry, emphasizing the importance of transparency, decarbonization of mining processes, and adaptation to technological changes for a just energy transition. Dr. Brent Doberstein from the University of Waterloo highlighted the need to shift from reactive disaster reconstruction to proactive ecosystem resilience through nature-based solutions, sustainable forestry, technological innovation, improved environmental governance, and the integration of local knowledge. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah from Universiti Malaya presented innovations using biochar and microbial consortia to combat soil degradation and improve food security, while Dr. Irdika Mansur from IPB University emphasized land rehabilitation and reforestation through scientific research and community participation as effective strategies for restoring degraded ecosystems and mitigating climate change.
Further insights were provided by Prof. Ningrum Natasya Sirait, who examined the legality of “green cartels” in Indonesian competition law, arguing for a clear regulatory framework that balances environmental cooperation with fair market competition.
In addition, Mr. Mohan Rao, M.Arch introduced an ecological continuity approach in landscape-based design that integrates soil, water, and biodiversity to create sustainable habitats, while Prof. Wen-Chi Huang from National Pingtung University discussed rural revitalization through community-led ecotourism as a means to address demographic challenges and empower local communities.
The conference was structured into two main panel sessions moderated by senior professors of Universitas Sumatera Utara, focusing on ecosystem resilience, resource governance, legal frameworks, and sustainable planning strategies. These discussions underscored the necessity of holistic solutions that combine scientific innovation, policy reform, economic considerations, and community-based approaches to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience.
Beyond the plenary and panel sessions, the 4th ICNRSD 2026 also featured 12 parallel classes consisting of five offline and seven online sessions, where 150 presenters shared their latest research on urban sustainability, pollution control, energy transition, conservation strategies, and sustainable policy development. The parallel sessions created a dynamic academic environment that encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue, comparative analysis across countries, and collaborative networking among researchers and practitioners.
To recognize outstanding scholarly contributions, the organizing committee announced the Best Presenter Awards for several participants, including
Muhammad Syahid Zidan (Indonesia),
Sarmad Ahmad Qamar (Italy),
Yong Chee Kong (Malaysia),
Dionesius Aprian Nainggolan (Indonesia),
Gulmok Simbolon (Indonesia), and
Julius Paolo Siregar (Indonesia).
Their research works were commended for their originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to contemporary sustainability issues.
Overall, the 4th ICNRSD 2026 reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges and promoting sustainable natural resource management. By facilitating the exchange of ideas among global experts, the conference contributed to advancing evidence-based policies, innovative technologies, and community-driven strategies that support resilient ecosystems and sustainable development. The event concluded with a shared commitment from participants to strengthen future research partnerships and policy dialogues that will further enhance global efforts to protect natural resources, mitigate environmental degradation, and ensure a sustainable future for present and future generations.
For further information and more documentation about The 4th ICNRSD 2026, please visit our official Instagram post:
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