by Arif Setiawan
FM12 Sympoium and NBCS confrence, West Papua
The first international conference in 2026,represent Swaraowa. When I learned that this event, scheduled for mid-2025, would be held in Papua, I immediately prepared my abstract and registered. This 12th Flora Malesiana botanist meeting will be combined with the first nature-based climate solutions conference, offering an opportunity to visit the Dream Island of Papua.
As an introduction, in the context of botany, plant science, and biogeography, the term Malesiana refers to a floristic region with similar botanical characteristics, not to the name of the country of Malaysia or Melanesia.
Flora Malesiana is an international flora project that aims to name, describe, and inventory the flora of all vascular plants in Malesia, a region encompassing Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. The Malesian biodiversity region harbors an extraordinary diversity of vascular plants with over 41,500 species currently recognized and reported from the region (Plants of the World Online). In short, “Malesiana” is a biological identity that unites the islands of Southeast Asia, including Papua, based on their natural resources, regardless of their respective political borders.
The symposium is held every three years, and this year, the 12th edition was held in Papua, from February 9-14, 2026. The 12th Flora Malesiana (FM12) meeting is a gathering of plant experts to update flora projects from representatives of each region or taxa. This year, it was held concurrently with the Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCS) conference, according to the organizers, due to the link between plant richness and climate resilience. Research and Policy Synergy: FM12 focuses on documenting and preserving plant diversity, while NBCS focuses on utilizing nature to address climate change. This integration aims to ensure that scientific data on flora can directly inform climate solution policies.
booth swaraowa during the confrence
Why is swaraOwa present at this event? Nature-Based Climate Solutions—this is the theme swaraOwa was able to attend, as swaraOwa’s activities in Central Java for Javan Gibbon conservation are a form of nature-based climate solutions activities. Even more special, the committee recognized SwaraOwa as a keynote speaker at the conference, and also exhibited its Owa Coffee exhibition booth from February 9th to 13th at Manokwari City Mall.
The symposium opened at the West Papua Governor’s Office. According to committee chairman Prof. Charlie D. Heatubun, the event was attended by approximately 300 people from 15 countries. In his remarks, West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan, governor and chief of the Arfak tribe, stated that West Papua Province, with forest cover exceeding 70% of its territory, grows on a thin layer of soil. When damaged, forests take a long time to recover. The Governor, who received the 2019 Global Conservation Hero award, conveyed the philosophy that Papua’s forests are mothers. This expression means forests are a source of life, strength, protection, and compassion that must be maintained sustainably for the Papuan people.
on behalf of Swaraowa presenting Nature Based Climate Solution confrence
The second day, from February 10th to the fourth day, the symposium took place at the Swissbell Hotel. In Manokwari, SwaraOwa joined as a speaker at the Nature-Based Climate Solutions event, with a presentation titled “Bridging Biodiversity and Livelihoods: The Javan Gibbon Conservation Model.”
During the exhibition, SwaraOwa presented products from its community development and livelihood conservation programs for the Javan Gibbon. Participants and the general public from Manokwari appreciated the SwaraOwa booth, which served as a platform for further discussion, exchange experiences, and forge new conservation networks. Participants also had the opportunity to sample gibbon coffee, which is currently an ambassador for gibbon conservation in Papua.
The final day, February 13th, was a highly anticipated field trip, as the committee offered a visit to the Arfak Mountains, the natural habitat of endemic Papuan birds. At 6 a.m., about 70 of us, in a convoy of over 20 dualcab 4×4, headed to our first destination, Kwau Village, a birdwatching tourist destination. The road to the location was in excellent condition, with steep ups and downs, but it was easily traversed.
The villages appeared to be developed, with permanent buildings. There were also traditional houses, the “house of a thousand pillars,” a traditional house native to the Arfak mountain tribe. These wooden houses featured numerous small pillars and bark walls. The journey was very pleasant, flanked by dense forests and distinctive mountain vegetation.
Mating site of Vogelkop bowerbird-Burung Pintar
Around 10 a.m., we arrived in Kwau village. We were immediately divided into several groups to observe the Papuan birds-of-paradise. One of the highlights here was the Vogelkop bowerbird (Amblyornis inornate), “burung pintar”. This intelligence stems from its unique mating behavior. It builds large nests, up to one meter in diameter, on the ground, and arranges the nest’s materials based on color and size, meticulously to attract females.
However, that morning, due to the large group and the late morning, we were unable to witness this bird in action. We only witnessed the completed nest, with its attractive, complex architecture: branches arranged to resemble a hut, between 40 cm to one meter high. The male bird cleaned the hut/nest entrance area, and curated objects, aesthetics, and color curation of materials, including plastic waste and bottle caps, which were grouped by color to attract female bird. Research suggests this bird has a larger brain than other birds, demonstrating an evolutionary intelligence that offsets its less attractive appearance. This bird was seen around its nest, but it wasn’t well documented due to its dark color and inadequate lighting. However, seeing this bird with my eyes is a lifer’s luck.
giant banana tree
In the Kwau forest, we can also see the giant banana tree, endemic to Papua (Musa ingens), the largest herbaceous species in the world, growing among the dense forests of the Arfak mountains, its trunk towering three times higher than a typical banana tree, and its diameter exceeding 80 cm. This banana trunk appears whiter than most banana trunks, and the fruit is small, and according to information the fruit is not edible. The giant banana was first identified by a British botanist, in 1954, by Norman Willison Simmonds.
Kwau villages , Arfak Mountain landscape
Undohotma field station Anggi-Giji lake
The next destination of our journey took us up to the summit of the Arfak Mountains, to Undohotma village, near Lake Anggi, a mountain lake at an altitude of 1,800-2,000 meters above sea level. Here, we visited the research, conservation, and economic development center, managed by Bentara Papua and the University of Papua. It conducts biodiversity research and promotes sustainable management and economic activities for local residents. The Anggi coffee production center, along with Arabica coffee, and a collection of flora typical of the Arfak Mountains, are also located here.
The mountainous landscape, with two separate lakes, Lake Giji and Lake Gida, is a feast for the eyes. Typical mountain mossy vegetation, such as Rhododendrons and pitcher plants, are easily observed around the lakes. This visit to Lake Anggi concluded our trip to Papua. We hope to visit again sometime in the near future.