FAHUTAN PUBLIC RELATIONS — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hosted the international workshop “Developing a Conservation Action Plan for the Freshwater Mussels of Sumatra” held on May 12–14, 2026, at the USU Digital Learning Center Building. The event brought together academics, researchers, conservation practitioners, and various international organizations in an effort to formulate a conservation action plan for Sumatra’s freshwater mussels.

The workshop was the result of a collaboration between Universitas Sumatera Utara, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Mandai Nature, and University of Nottingham, with additional support from several international species conservation groups.

The event was officially opened with an opening speech by the Vice Rector I of USU, Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, who emphasized the importance of cross-country collaboration in maintaining biodiversity sustainability, particularly freshwater species currently facing various environmental threats.

Over the three-day workshop, participants discussed a range of important issues related to Sumatra’s freshwater mussels, including species conservation status, habitat threats, conservation priority setting, identification of protected areas, as well as the formulation of long-term conservation targets and action strategies. Discussions also highlighted the importance of data-driven scientific approaches, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and community involvement in supporting conservation success.

The workshop featured several international speakers and facilitators, including Roopali Raghavan and Alexandra Zieritz, alongside Indonesian academics and researchers actively engaged in the study of Sumatra’s freshwater biodiversity.

In addition to discussion sessions and threat mapping activities, participants also identified priority conservation targets and formulated strategic measures that will serve as the foundation for the future development of a Conservation Action Plan for Sumatra’s freshwater mussels.

This event demonstrated USU’s commitment to supporting international collaboration based on research and environmental conservation, while also strengthening the university’s position as part of the global network for biodiversity protection.

The workshop also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthened international cooperation in protecting ecosystems and biodiversity sustainably.