After nearly two decades of journey and impact, ASRI has reached many milestones, from planting over 700,000 native Bornean trees with an impressive 75% survival rate, identifying more than 50 wildlife species returning to restored forests, providing affordable, quality healthcare for more than 50,000 people with innovative non-cash payment options and healthcare discount based on eco-status, and supporting 350+ former loggers to transition into sustainable livelihoods. Thanks to strong partnerships and collaboration with the community and government, we received prestigious national and international recognition, from Indonesia’s Kalpataru Award, to the Whitley Award, the Ashden Award, and the UN Global Climate Action Award.

Yet, in all these years, ASRI had never had the opportunity to represent our work directly in a global forum like the UNFCCC COP or the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC), until now.

October this year, we decided to change that. The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE became our goal, a chance to bring stories from the rainforests of Kalimantan and Papua to the global stage. With the UAE being just one flight away from Jakarta, a booth discount from IUCN, and generous support from our donors, we made it possible for ASRI to be there, proudly showcasing the power of community-led conservation and Planetary Health.

Our booth became a vibrant space for learning and connection. Visitors, from long-time partners to new potential collaborators, and many people who were simply curious and inspired by our work, stopped by to hear stories from the forest. Children were not only smiling but truly mesmerized as they listened to stories about Borneo’s incredible wildlife, passionately told by my colleague Etty, whom I truly believe is one of the best educators I’ve ever worked with. Many were fascinated by ASRI’s unique model, where healthcare and forest protection go hand in hand, bringing Planetary Health to life at the grassroots level.

We were impressed by the UAE’s remarkable spirit and commitment to sustainability which I think was reflected in the grandeur of the Congress, the moving and inspiring opening ceremony, and the genuine warmth with which people from across the UAE welcomed us. Many came to our booth, eager to learn about ASRI and explore collaboration opportunities. It was a powerful reminder that environmental care and human connection truly transcend borders.

Beyond the exhibition hall, we were honored to be invited by Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL) to speak at the Thematic Forum: “Local Leadership for Nature-Positive Economies”, held in the Asia Pavilion on October 12, 2025. This panel allowed us to share how Radical Listening has guided ASRI’s 18-year journey, leading to community-designed solutions in healthcare and sustainable livelihoods, while at the same time protecting and restoring the forests. 

ASRI’s participation in this Congress echoes the event’s central message, that local action on the ground is essential for global impact. Across sessions, themes of Indigenous and local community leadership, youth and women empowerment, and the connections between Climate and Health, either through One Health, or Planetary Health concept were at the forefront. It affirmed how deeply relevant ASRI’s work is to today’s global conservation and climate conversations.

Our time in the UAE also brought a beautiful collaboration with The Climate Tribe, an Abu Dhabi–based conservation media platform. The event took place at the lovely Climate Tribe Hub, where we held a screening of the National Geographic Indonesia video on ASRI, followed by a lively discussion. It was such a joyful sharing moment for us — Etty and I — accompanied by our beloved orangutan and proboscis monkey puppets that never fail to draw smiles.

We were humbled when The Climate Tribe’s English Editor, Rachel Redfern, shared that “ASRI gets full marks,” quoting a sustainability analyst who said, “I wish every project were run like this.” We were equally honored by their feature story, “Healing People and Planet in Borneo’s Rainforests,” which beautifully captures ASRI’s work to connect forest conservation, community health, and local leadership.

From Borneo to Abu Dhabi, this journey reminded us that the most powerful stories are those that begin in local communities and ripple out to inspire the world