Ardianto Budi Rahmawan, S.H., LL.M., a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM), currently pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Pécs, Hungary, together with three FH UGM students, Andi Sitti Ainy Nur Alifah (2022), Lusia Rina Wulandari (2022), and Maylani Sri Maharani (2022), successfully represented UGM at the Hybrid International Conference organized by Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Vietnam. The conference, themed "ASEAN's Path to Sustainable Development: Navigating International Relations, Legal Frameworks, and Sovereignty," was held on July 11, 2025, in a hybrid format at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law campus and via Zoom.
The conference was prompted by ASEAN's strategic position as one of the world's most ecologically vulnerable regions, making sustainable development an urgent agenda for all member states. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive approach capable of addressing complex challenges, from strengthening international relations and harmonizing national legal frameworks with global standards to leveraging innovative technologies for sustainability targets and balancing international cooperation with national sovereignty principles. Through this academic forum, participants explored the complexities of ASEAN's sustainable development challenges while formulating strategic solutions for the region.
The international conference featured 16 selected papers authored by 39 writers from more than 10 international institutions, representing countries from Vietnam to Iran. The diversity of participants comprising academics, researchers, and practitioners reflects the extensive reach of academic collaboration in this forum. The participation of the FH UGM team underscores the academic community's commitment to contributing to discussions on national and international legal issues.
At the forum, the FH UGM team presented a paper titled “Combating Deforestation Through the Utilisation of General Allocation Funds as A Form of Ecological Fiscal Transfer in Order to Conserve Forest Sustainability” in the panel “ASEAN's Green Transition: From Forest Finance to Carbon Trade”, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Duong and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usanee Aimsiranun. The paper analyzes deforestation issues in Indonesia, compares the implementation of Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) in various countries, and examines the potential of General Allocation Funds (GAF) as an EFT instrument to conserve Indonesia's forest genetic resources.
The research findings indicate that: (i) deforestation in Indonesia is caused by forest conversion, management issues, and political factors; (ii) countries such as China, India, and Brazil have successfully addressed deforestation through EFT implementation; (iii) implementing GAF as a form of EFT requires the Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) mechanism at the conceptual level and institutional coordination at the implementation level to preserve Indonesia's forest genetic resources.
The FH UGM team’s contribution strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By exploring the implementation of Ecological Fiscal Transfers, the research promotes equitable and evidence-based fiscal policies that strengthen Indonesia’s commitment to environmental conservation. Furthermore, the team’s active participation in this international forum supports SDG 17 by fostering cross-border academic collaboration — connecting young scholars and legal experts from diverse backgrounds to collectively develop global solutions for sustainability challenges.
This participation serves as tangible proof of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Faculty of Law commitment to advancing the global sustainable development agenda and reinforces UGM’s role as a university for the world — contributing to stronger legal governance, environmental protection, and social justice at both regional and international levels.
Author: Delegation of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM)
