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IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society

2nd International Workshop on Small Island Research and Development (SIRaD)

Malang, Indonesia, 2-4 October 2025

Islands are biodiversity hotspots and home to rare and often endemic species. Due to their remote and isolated locations, small islands and their communities are on the frontlines of natural disasters, ecosystem sustainability, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. In recent decades, economic expansion across the Western Pacific, driven by tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and extractive industries, has delivered both economic growth and unintended environmental pressures. However, small islands face not only ecological challenges but also limitations in governance, inclusive planning, and adaptive capacity. These realities highlight the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach that incorporates ecological research, community perspectives, and responsive policy frameworks.
Recognizing the urgency of multifaceted challenges faced by small islands, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) initiated the Small Island Research and Development (SIRaD) Working Group, with the objectives of fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration, enhancing community-engaged approaches, supporting evidence-based policymaking for sustainable small island development, and strengthening regional cooperation among countries in the Western Pacific Region.

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The first international SIRaD Workshop, held in 2023, Jakarta, highlighted the complex and interconnected challenges confronting many small islands. At the heart of SIRaD’s approach is a strong commitment to ensuring that research does not remain in the academic domain, but is translated into concrete, actionable insights that inform policy decisions—particularly those shaping the future of small island development.
To advance these goals, the 2nd International SIRaD Workshop is scheduled for 2-4 October 2025 in Malang, Indonesia, to deepen synergies and enhance collaboration among researchers practitioners, and policymakers working on the sustainable future of island and coastal regions.
The event will be hosted by the Brawijaya University and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

Workshop Objectives
The 2nd SIRaD Workshop aims to:

  • Develop a common understanding of small island research and development status in the Western Pacific;
  • Present interdisciplinary assessments of pilot lands, especially on the connections between marine ecosystem services and economic activities;
  • Share insights from Indonesian research and policy communities that combine scientific evidence with stakeholder perspectives, supporting national and regional strategies for sustainable island development; and
  • Explore opportunities for cooperation among institutions and countries in the region , including further development of institutional arrangements for small island research and development.

Date and venue

  • Date: 2-4 October 2025, consisting of workshop sessions, 2-3 October 2025, and a field trip to Sendangbiru’s community-managed coastal tourism area (CMC) and the government-run Sempu Island conservation site on 4 October 2025.
  • Venue: Mercure Hotel, Malang, Indonesia

Expected outputs

  • A consolidated overview of R&D in selected small islands, integrating findings on ecosystem services, socio-economic dynamics, and governance to strengthen collaboration in the Western Pacific.
  • A synthesis of Indonesian insights, highlighting community perceptions, ecological shifts, and adaptation practices, offering lessons for potential adoption by regional stakeholders.
  • Joint research and policy recommendations, linking scientific and regional perspectives, and proposing collaborative small island R&D starting from pilot loci with strong learning and policy value.
  • Strengthened institutional arrangement in the region, driving the small island research and development initiatives, with joint development opportunities, with an actional workplan for the next two years and beyond.

Participants

Experts and government officials with good knowledge and extensive experience in their national or institutional efforts related to small island research and development are highly encouraged to participate, and contribute to the discussions in the following sessions.

Tentative program

The Workshop will be structured around:

Session 1: Institutional and national status about small island research and development.
Session 2: Research and development of the pilot islands: Amami (Japan), Jeju (South Korea), Langkawi (Malaysia), Pingtan Dao (China), Gili Matra and Gili Ketapang (Indonesia)
Session 3: Key common challenges and opportunities for future collaboration in small island research and development
Session 4: Indonesian stakeholders’ perspectives on SIRaD research and development
Session 5: Brainstorming: Charting the Way Forward for the small island research and development in the region

Registration
Individuals who are nominated or self-nominated and are committed to contributing to the collective effort and shared goals are encouraged to complete the online registration/application form as early as possible, preferably before 3 August 2025.

If you are unable to access the online form, please complete the offline registration form (Annex 1) and email it to iocwestpac@unesco.org with the subject line: Registration Form – SIRaD Workshop

Please note that funding for international travel is limited and will be prioritized for participants from developing countries. Selection will be based primarily on the applicant’s CV, his/her work experience, and previous engagement with WESTPAC or other related international programmes.

Updated information about the workshop will be made available in due course at this event page.

Important links

1. Concept note (pdf)
2. Offline Registration Form (word file)

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