The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with the Mangrove Science and Technology Center of Excellence (PUI Mangrove), successfully organized the 8th International Conference on Natural Resources and Technology (ICONART 2026) in a hybrid format on Wednesday (September 23, 2026), at Grandhika Hotel, Medan. This international conference served as a platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners from various countries to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration in science- and technology-based natural resource management.

Carrying the spirit of collaboration in the development of science and technology, the 8th ICONART brought together academics, researchers, and practitioners from various countries to share research findings and ideas related to natural resource management and technology. The conference served as a space for knowledge exchange while opening opportunities to strengthen international cooperation networks in forestry, environmental, and natural resource fields.

Featuring speakers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Egypt, ICONART 2026 presented diverse perspectives on sustainable natural resource and environmental management. The panel session featured several academics and researchers, including Dr. Sheriza Mohd Razali from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Prof. Koji Takayama from Tokyo Metropolitan University, and Prof. Minkyu Moon, Ph.D., from Kangwon National University.

In the second session, several keynote speakers also delivered their presentations, including Dr. Erni Jumilawaty, M.Si., Dr. Chandra Sagaran (Chairman, Malaysia Green Technology Society), and Prof. Nabil Ibrahim Elsheery (Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Egypt). The participants appeared enthusiastic about the various engaging topics presented.

The opening of ICONART 2026 also featured a video address by Morecome Mumba, Ambassador of Zambia, followed by a group photo session with the Vice Rector of USU. The activity was also enlivened by a traditional dance performance that received enthusiastic applause from the participants. The main series of ICONART 2026 continued with panel sessions and research presentations, providing a platform for researchers to present their research findings, discoveries, and innovative ideas in various fields related to natural resources and technology. The discussions covered tropical biodiversity, food science and food technology, information systems of tropical resources, natural resource technology, natural science and natural products, as well as ethnobotany and ethnozoology. These diverse topics demonstrated the broad range of scientific approaches to understanding, utilizing, and managing natural resources sustainably. The conference concluded with the announcement of the best presenters and a closing ceremony led by the Chairperson of the Committee.

The successful implementation of the 8th ICONART 2026 reaffirms the commitment of the Faculty of Forestry USU to expanding international academic networks and promoting knowledge exchange and research collaboration to address challenges in sustainable natural resource management.

The implementation of this conference also supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the development of knowledge and innovation for ecosystem and biodiversity sustainability, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthening international partnerships and cross-country academic collaboration.