UNDIP, Semarang (June 4, 2025) – The Faculty of Law at Universitas Diponegoro (FH UNDIP) successfully hosted The 4th International Conference on Law, Economic, and Governance (ICOLEG 2025) on June 3–4, 2025, at the Gumaya Tower Hotel Ballroom in Semarang. The conference, attended by scholars, legal practitioners, students, and stakeholders from both domestic and international communities, carried the theme: “Progressive Law and Sustainable Development Goals: A Catalyst for Environmental Justice in Global Uncertainty.”
The event was officially opened by UNDIP Rector, represented by Vice-Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., alongside the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Retno Saraswati, S.H., M.Hum.
In his opening remarks, Vice-Rector Wijayanto emphasized that this international conference is one of UNDIP’s flagship academic events, held regularly by the Faculty of Law. “Each faculty organizes international conferences, and ICOLEG is one of the finest among them,” he said.
By focusing on environmental issues, the conference encouraged participants to deepen their commitment to global sustainability. “ICOLEG 2025 aims to raise awareness about the urgency of environmental preservation. Without tangible action, sustainable development will remain out of reach. Through this event, UNDIP demonstrates its strong commitment to advancing the SDGs and addressing pressing environmental challenges,” Wijayanto concluded.
Echoing his statement, the Dean of UNDIP’s Faculty of Law, Prof. Retno, highlighted that the theme reflects the institution’s commitment to addressing complex global challenges, particularly environmental concerns.
“To become a world-class university, our faculty is determined to keep up with the rapid changes of the modern era. This theme shows our awareness of these crucial issues. We hope the conference contributes meaningful academic solutions to environmental challenges, minimizes negative impacts, and ensures the protection of public rights to natural resources and a healthy environment,” Prof. Retno said.
Chair of ICOLEG 2025, Diastama Anggita Ramadhan, S.H., LL.M., reported that ICOLEG 2025 received an enthusiastic response from the academic community. A total of 101 scholarly articles were submitted, with 89 selected for presentation following a rigorous peer-review process by a team of experts in law and environmental studies.
This year’s conference featured eight distinguished keynote speakers from Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and the Netherlands, who shared valuable insights on environmental law and sustainable development in a rapidly evolving global context. Keynote speakers and topics included:
- Prof. Dr. Nanik Trihastuti, S.H., M.Hum. (UNDIP’s Professor of International Law) delivered material titled: “Blue Economy as The New Paradigm: From Frontier Mentality to Sustainable Ethic.”
- Prof. Rasyikah, MD Khalid, Ph.D. (Professor of Water Law and Resources Management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), delivered a material titled: “Water Management as Part of Environmental Law.”
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Hadiyanto, S.T., M.Sc., IPU (UNDIP’s Professor of Chemical Engineering) delivered material titled: “Microplastics and Their Macro-Impacts to Humans: Current Situation and Developments of International Law and Regulation.”
- Prof. Louis Kotze, B.Com., LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D. (Professor of Global Environment Constitutionalism and Earth System Law, School of Law, Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands) delivered a material titled: “Law, Transformation and The Anthropocene.”
- I Made Andi Arsana, S.T., ME., Ph.D. (Head of the Master’s Program in Geomatics Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada) delivered a material titled: “Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, and Maritime Boundaries: A Legal and Geospatial Perspective.”
- Prof. Shawkat Alam, LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D. (Professor of International and Environmental Law at the School of Law, Macquarie University, Australia), delivered a material titled: “Free Trade Agreements and Carbon Tax to Achieve Ecological SDGs.”
- Prof. Dr. Susi Dwi Harijanti, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D. (Profesor of Constitutional Law at Universitas Padjadjaran) delivered a material titled: “Environmental Provisions in the 1945 Constitution: Toward Environmental Constitutionalism.”
- Prof. Markus Wagner, LL.M., J.D. (Professor of International Economic Law and Governance, School of Law University of Wollongong, Australia), delivered a material titled: “Futures of International Trade Law & Governance and Economic Sustainability.”
The International Conference on Law, Economics, and Governance (ICOLEG) is a prestigious international conference organized by the Faculty of Law at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP). ICOLEG 2025 featured three scientific chambers:
- Environmental Law, Economic, and Governance — exploring the interplay between environmental law, economic needs, and the government’s role in sustainable policymaking.
- Environmental Justice and Progressive Law — focusing on access to justice in international environmental law and progressive approaches to promoting sustainability and social equity.
- Climate Action in Global Uncertainty — addressing climate change in the context of global instability and exploring legal strategies to tackle emerging challenges.
The closing session featured award announcements. The Best Paper award went to F.X. Adji Samekto for “Neo-Liberalism and the Challenge of Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Progressive Law in Addressing Deforestation and Its Impacts in Indonesia.” The Best Presenter award was given to Jeremy Zefanya Yaka Arvante.
Held biennially, ICOLEG is a significant platform for academics, professionals, researchers, and legal activists to exchange ideas, present research findings, and formulate legal solutions to global issues. Outcomes from ICOLEG 2025 are expected to generate innovative ideas and practical legal solutions for developing fair and sustainable environmental law at both national and international levels. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Dhany)