December 19, 2026 | UCLG ASPAC, under the framework of the Urban-Act project, successfully convened a webinar entitled ‘Strengthening the Waste Management Framework for Local Governments in Indonesia’ on Friday, December 19, 2025. Engaging more than 80 participants from cities and districts across Indonesia, the webinar enhanced the knowledge of local government officials and fostered meaningful dialogue among cities and state-level representatives, laying a stronger foundation for local governments to take further action on waste management.
Ms. Terra Prima Sari from the Directorate of Sanitation, Directorate General of Human Settlements, Ministry of Public Works of the Republic of Indonesia, shared an overview of the current state of waste management in Indonesia, along with national approaches, readiness requirements, and technical standards that local governments need to consider when planning and implementing waste management projects. Her presentation provided valuable clarity on how local initiatives can align with national frameworks and regulatory directions.
Complementing the national perspective, the Head of the Environmental Agency of Malang Regency, Dr. Ahmad Dzulfikar Nurrahman, shared practical experiences from the operation of the Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) in Malang. The IRRC, jointly developed by UCLG ASPAC and UNESCAP in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia in 2014, serves as a concrete example of how integrated waste management solutions can be implemented at the local level. The session offered participants insights into day-to-day operational challenges, institutional coordination, and lessons learned from managing waste recovery facilities.
Through these two perspectives, the webinar bridged policy direction and on-the-ground implementation. Participants actively engaged in the discussion, raising questions related to technical readiness, project planning, and institutional capacity, underscoring the need for continued knowledge exchange and peer learning among local governments.
Concluding the discussion, the UCLG ASPAC Secretary General, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, emphasised that the webinar was intended not only to enhance understanding but also to spark concrete and follow-up actions by cities and local governments. These actions may take the form of strengthening local policies, improving the quality of planning documents, and developing waste management projects that are sustainable, as well as technically and financially feasible. This emphasis reinforced the importance of translating dialogue and learning into practical implementation at the local level.
UCLG ASPAC extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers and participants who contributed to the discussion. The strong participation and engagement reflect a shared commitment to improving waste management practices across the region. By maintaining this momentum, local governments can continue to strengthen their role in building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable cities for the future.
