SEAMEO BIOTROP (Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology) held the SEAMEO BIOTROP Outlook 2025–2026. The theme was “Innovation and Partnership for Transformative Biodiversity Education and Sustainable Future.”  The event took place on December 10, 2025, at Plaza Insan Pendidikan Berprestasi in Jakarta. Attendees included the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, the Secretary General of Primary and Secondary Education, Bureaus, Directorates, and Centers at the Ministry of Education and Culture, as well as various Ministries and Institutions. Representatives from the SEAMEO Secretariat, SEAMEO Center, national, regional, and international universities, the Education Office, and partner schools also participated.

This event marked an important milestone for SEAMEO BIOTROP. The centre is committed to strengthening schools' roles in addressing climate change, food security, and environmental degradation. The event also launched the 2025 output, introduced the 2026 program plan, and focused on building partnerships at national and regional levels. In his remarks, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Atip Latipulhayat, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D., emphasized schools as centers of learning innovation. "Schools need to be agents of change that build students' understanding and concern for the environment," he said. He also expressed appreciation for BIOTROP's programs. The Deputy Director of the SEAMEO BIOTROP Program, Dr. Doni Yusri, SP, MM, explained the 2026 work agenda. The agenda includes the Geopark Educational Model, Artificial Intelligence for Tropical Biology, Circular Economy, and Sub-Optimal Land Conservation Education. He stressed that achieving these goals requires strong collaboration with government, research institutions, universities, the business sector, and schools. SEAMEO BIOTROP is dedicated to delivering innovation, partnerships, and learning to advance biodiversity education and a sustainable future. The Director of the SEAMEO Secretariat, Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, recognized SEAMEO BIOTROP's role in strengthening schools through teacher training, community empowerment, and contextual learning that fosters ecological literacy and sustainable behavior. SEAMEO BIOTROP shows regional leadership through innovation and partnerships that reinforce biodiversity and sustainability education in Southeast Asia.

On this occasion, SEAMEO BIOTROP also launched 6 main outcomes for 2025 that strengthen the role of schools in environmental and sustainability education, namely: Policy Brief  "Breaking The Chain of Food Waste Early", Urban Agriculture Training Module, BIOTROP Clinic (BIONIC), Sub-Optimal Land Management ToT Program, School of Biodiversity, SWARA (Sustainability in Waste Awareness and Responsible Action Awards). Carrying the theme "Innovation and Partnership for Transformative Education and a Sustainable Future," this activity showcased the achievements of the 2025 program and the 2026 program plan, including Agro-Eco-Edu-Tourism, School of Biodiversity, Urban Agriculture Training, and innovation in bioprospecting organic fertilizer. SEAMEO BIOTROP also submitted a Policy Brief entitled "Breaking The Chain of Food Waste Early: Empowering Schools as Agents of Change" to the Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education, and awarded the Best Implementer 2025 awards to ten schools from various provinces. In addition, the 2025 SWARA Awards were given for innovation and for best in food waste management in schools and communities.

The schools that received the 2025 Best Implementer award were deemed successful in consistently implementing biodiversity learning practices, environmental management, and sustainability programs. The awards were given to SMA Negeri 2 Bogor, SMKPP Negeri Mataram, SMP Negeri 19 Ambon, SD Negeri 5 Rambang Niru Muara Enim, SMK Negeri 8 Jember, SLB Negeri Cileunyi, SMK Negeri Integrated Agriculture Pekanbaru, SMK Pertanian Pembangunan Negeri Kupang, SMK Negeri 2 Metro Lampung, and SDN Kendaljaya II Karawang. The 2025 SWARA Awards recognize those who have implemented good practices in innovative food waste management in schools and communities. For the Best Practice category, the award was won by Prof. Arief Sabdo Yuwono from IPB University. The Best Proposal category was awarded to Balqis Soeharso from Poltek KP Karawang; the Favorite Winner was won by Eksa Rusdiyana from Karangturi Berseri; and the Special Prize was awarded to Dr. Sirhajwan Idek from Malaysia.

SEAMEO BIOTROP proudly announces SEMO as its official mascot, selected as the first-place winner of the Mascot Design Competition: Guardian of Biodiversity. Created by Santoso (Indonesia), SEMO was selected from 113 submissions from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand through expert evaluation and public voting on SEAMEO BIOTROP’s Instagram page. Designed as a heroic tiger symbolizing the strength and vibrancy of tropical forests, SEMO will serve as the visual ambassador for SEAMEO BIOTROP’s scientific, educational, and outreach efforts. Alongside notable finalists such as Pippo from the Philippines and Rakumi from Indonesia, SEMO represents the powerful synergy between art, education, and conservation messaging. The launch of SEMO forms part of the SEAMEO BIOTROP Outlook 2025–2026, strengthening the Centre’s identity and enhancing youth and community engagement across Southeast Asia.

The event concluded with invited guests visiting the biodiversity education exhibition booth, including best implementing schools, SWARA Awards winners, and SEAMEO Centers.

The SEAMEO BIOTROP Outlook 2025–2026 is expected to be a catalyst for improving the quality of primary and secondary education while strengthening the implementation of sustainability principles in educational institutions in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and increasing stakeholder support to expand the program's impact by 2026. (DR)