Indonesia to Host S-LCA 2026: A First for the Asia-Pacific

Indonesia has made new history in global sustainability by being selected to host the 10th International Conference on Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA 2026). The prestigious conference will take place at JAPFA The Learning Centre (JTLC) in Megamendung, Bogor, from 17–19 June 2026, with preliminary events commencing on 16 June 2026. This 10th edition is a crucial milestone as it is the first time since its inception in 2010 that the S-LCA conference is being held in the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, the event had always been centred in Europe and the Americas. The presence of S-LCA in Indonesia is expected to strengthen discussions on social impact assessment, particularly in developing countries or the Global South. Carrying the theme “Unity in Diversity”, the conference serves as a dialogue platform to harmonise global sustainability assessment methodologies by considering perspectives from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Global enthusiasm is evident, with over 160 abstracts submitted from more than 30 countries. Jessica Hanafi, PhD, from Life Cycle Indonesia (LCI), who serves as Conference Chair, asserted that this achievement proves the active contribution of developing countries to S-LCA science. “The goal of this conference is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and to encourage collaboration for systemic change in the industrial ecosystem,” she said. The conference was officially opened by the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Prof. Rachmat Pambudy. The government’s presence demonstrates an important convergence between robust scientific data and national strategic policy. This is a positive signal for the implementation of S-LCA in measuring the welfare of Indonesian society to realise inclusive development. As a co-organiser, JAPFA demonstrates its long-term commitment to sustainable business practices. JAPFA’s involvement reflects the tangible integration of social sustainability principles into supply chain management and operational aspects of livestock farming and food production. Over three days, experts and practitioners shared innovations regarding social impact measurement in various strategic fields. The meeting also served as an important forum to provide input on the development of international standards, such as ISO 14075, to better reflect the diversity of local contexts across the globe. Several international figures attended as speakers, including Prof. Dr. Matthias Finkbeiner (TU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Marzia Traverso (RWTH Aachen), and representatives from world organisations such as UNIDO, UNEP, and GRI. This collaboration is supported by various strategic partners such as Sucofindo, IBCSD, and the World Resources Forum to ensure the conference outcomes can be implemented into practical actions for corporations.