10 November 2025
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The SBC Project is designed to enhance research and implementation of sustainable silvofishery systems and blue carbon development, considering Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems hold significant carbon sequestration potential. Throughout the event, participants discussed research workplans, scientific harmonization, consortium establishment, and the roadmap for registering blue carbon projects on international platforms.
The first day (5 November 2025) opened with remarks from the Director of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnership (DIKG) USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., followed by presentations from six speakers representing partner universities and supporting organizations from Korea.
Speakers addressed key topics including mangrove carbon stock assessment, satellite imagery applications for coastal ecosystem mapping, and opportunities to utilize Korean technology in support of blue carbon project registration. A discussion session then identified research barriers, the need for standardized methodologies, and prospects for joint international publications.
USU researchers also contributed to the scientific exchange, with Prof. Basyuni, Ph.D. presenting ongoing research concerning sustainable silvofishery systems in Belawan. His findings demonstrated that integrating mangrove ecosystems with aquaculture activities can enhance productivity while preserving the ecological functions of coastal areas.
Activities continued on the second day (6 November 2025) with the official launch of the SBC Project. In his remarks, Prof. Ho Sang Kang, Project Manager of the KOICA–ICAB SNU collaboration, underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among institutions from both Indonesia and Korea.
“Indonesia possesses vast and highly potential mangrove ecosystems. Through this research consortium, we can establish strong scientific standards, build research capacity, and develop sustainable silvofishery models,” he stated.
KOICA representatives then presented the technical structure of the project, outlining work stages, institutional roles, and plans for blue carbon verification through the Sustainable Resource Network (SRN). A further presentation by Mr. Gyeongmin Noh of TSE Group Korea focused on the mechanisms for SBC project submission and registration within international carbon systems, providing participants with a clear overview of baseline development, field verification, and certified carbon reporting workflows.
The second-day discussions were more in-depth, with partner universities presenting the conditions of their respective coastal ecosystems and related research challenges. Indonesian participants emphasized the importance of community involvement in silvofishery implementation, highlighting that project success depends not only on scientific rigor but also on social acceptance.
“Research must generate real benefits. We must ensure that coastal communities are involved from the beginning so they feel a sense of ownership over this initiative,” one participant remarked during the panel discussion.
The event proceeded with the formulation of a joint work plan, including the establishment of the Indonesia–Korea SBC Consortium as a coordination platform for research, methodological guideline development, and data sharing among partner universities.
A key agenda item was the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) by the four Indonesian partner universities and Seoul National University. The ToR formalizes a long-term commitment covering field research, researcher capacity-building programs, and technical support from Korean experts in blue carbon verification processes.
Through the successful implementation of this two-day workshop, the collaboration among USU, KOICA, SNU, and national partner institutions is expected to yield scientific models and technologies that enhance coastal management quality and strengthen climate change mitigation efforts.
The activities concluded with a shared expectation that the agreements and outcomes formulated during the workshop will soon be realized for both academic advancement and the welfare of coastal communities.
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