Medan, 16th 2026 – The 1st International Conference on Population and Family Development (ICoPoF) 2026 was officially held at the Digital Learning Center Building (DLCB), Universitas Sumatera Utara. Carrying the theme “Strengthening Population and Family Development to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the international conference, initiated by the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN), served as a strategic platform for preparing Indonesia to maximize its demographic dividend on the path toward the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
The conference successfully brought together academics, researchers, policymakers, and international experts in a collaborative forum. These interdisciplinary discussions generated fresh ideas, new hypotheses, and critical perspectives that are expected to provide a strong foundation for developing effective, efficient, and evidence-based population policies.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Population and Family Development and Principal Secretary of BKKBN, Prof. Budi Setiyono, Ph.D., highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration, expressed optimism on the synergy of academic research and national development priorities. He explained that the government is currently formulating the Grand Design for Population Development (DBPK) and the Population Development Roadmap (PJPK) as key frameworks for modern population governance.
- International perspectives further enriched the discussions. Mr. Hassan Mohtashami of UNFPA Indonesia emphasized the importance of preparing the demographic dividend with women’s empowerment and investment in human capital, ensuring that demographic opportunities not to be demographic challenges. Meanwhile, Prof.
- Saidatulakmal Mohd from Universiti Sains Malaysia highlighted the need for inclusive social protection based on the principle of “no one left behind,” referring to the ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation (2012) as an important framework for reducing socioeconomic inequalities.
The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM) also actively participated in this significant international event. Two Master students from the Population Program, Armadi Setyo Pambudi and Suci Retno Ningtiyas, presented their research focusing on gender equality and vulnerable populations. Their study, titled “Who Supports the Household? Female Economic Roles and Informal Employment in Central Java, Indonesia,” examined the socioeconomic conditions of widowed women working in the informal sector. The findings are expected to provide valuable evidence for policymakers in identifying priority beneficiaries and designing more targeted social assistance and social protection programs.
The forums such as ICoPoF 202, sustained collaboration of academics and policymakers is expected to continue to be strong. Such initiatives represent a shared commitment to foster balanced and inclusive societal development and support Indonesia’s long-term vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
Author: Suci Retno Ningtiyas
Editor: Siti Muyasaroh