Semarang, Indonesia – The Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) organized the International Conference on Economics, Business, and Economic Education (ICE-BEES 2025) at Patra Semarang Hotel & Convention on July 17, 2025. This conference successfully brought together experts and policymakers from various countries to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through interdisciplinary perspectives and innovation.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Zaenuri, M.Si., Akt., Vice Rector 1 for Academic & Student Affairs, and Prof. Dr. Amir Mahmud, S.Pd., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business. Coordinated under the leadership of Dr. Inaya Sari Melati, S.Pd., M.Pd., the conference set the stage for a forum at the intersection of education, policy, and environmental consciousness.
ICE-BEES 2025 was attended by 129 participants from three countries: Indonesia, Libya, and Pakistan, carrying the theme “Behavioral Insights in Environmental Conservation and Education: A Pathway to Achieve SDGs.” International speakers delivered critical issues and transformative solutions for a sustainable future, each representing diverse institutional backgrounds.
Prof. Alex Lechner from Monash University Indonesia emphasized the importance of expanding the application of nature-based solutions to drive green economic growth, making a concrete contribution to climate protection and biodiversity conservation. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Husaina Banu bt Kenayathulla from Universiti Malaya highlighted the essence of sustainable financial literacy in the digital era, equipping the public to make smart, adaptive, and environmentally conscious economic decisions amid technological advancement.
The next presentation, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob from Universiti Sains Malaysia, discussed the vital role of behavioral science in designing policies, education, and governance of the environment and economy to align with principles of sustainability and responsible consumption. The final speaker, Dr. Avi Budi Setiawan from Universitas Negeri Semarang, shared policy innovations and Central Java’s readiness to make a green leap toward a sustainable economy by 2045, emphasizing the crucial role of cross-sector collaboration to ensure a just and inclusive economic transition.
This conference not only strengthened FEB UNNES’s position as a pioneer of sustainability innovation at national and global levels, but also underscored the importance of integrating behavioral science in decision-making, leveraging digital technology for environmental literacy, and sustaining synergy among government, business, and society. Selected outstanding conference papers will be published in reputable international journals and conference proceedings, reinforcing Indonesia’s concrete contribution to advancing the global sustainability agenda.
ICE-BEES 2025 stands as a reflection of FEB UNNES’s commitment to advancing education, research, and real action based on scientific knowledge to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, from local impact to global influence.
Reporter: Inaya Sari Melati
