Mataram, University of Mataram – The 19th Island of the World Conference held at the University of Mataram (Unram), in collaboration with IPB University and the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA) was officially closed with a series of lively activities held at the Unram Dome Building on Saturday (29/6).

In the closing ceremony, ISISA President, Dr. Lourie Brinklow expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude to all parties involved in this conference. “I just want to end by saying that we are very happy to be in the largest archipelago in the world. Thank you to everyone who came, we couldn’t have done it without you,” said Dr. Lourie.

Ahmad Junaidi, M.A., Ph.D., as Co-Chair of 19th IWC as well as Unram representative said “Unram wants to provide the best quality of education to the people on Sumbawa Island, Lombok Island, and people who have long lived on the surrounding small islands. We invite everyone to learn with us and join our short courses. We are ready to accept international students especially from departments related to island studies. We have oceanography study programs and also marine studies,” he said.

Junaidi also added that Unram is trying to be more recognized internationally. “If one day we contact you and invite you, we hope you can accept the invitation, both online and offline. We want to open as many cooperation opportunities as possible,” he said.

The closing ceremony was also filled with other important activities including awards for the best presenters and awards to sponsors. There was also a ceremonial handover of the next IWC host from Indonesia to South Korea.

Shinan-gun will host the 20th Islands of the World Conference to be held on June 24-27, 2026 with the theme “Island Resilience and Innovation in Climatic Crisis”. Prof. Sun-Khee Hong from the Institution for Marine and Island Cultures, Mokpo National University Korea as the proposer expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

The conference was sponsored by PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Directorate of Global Connection IPB University, Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Climateworks Center, and Archipelagic and Island States Forum.

The 19th Island of the World Conference is expected to leave a deep impression and inspire many parties to continue to support sustainability. Unram is determined to make a full contribution to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and ensuring that every step taken benefits the current and future generations.