The Lestari Summit and Awards 2026, held on July 22 at Raffles Hotel Jakarta, brought together leaders from government, business, academia, communities, and the media to highlight and advance sustainability efforts across Indonesia. Organised by KG Media, the event underscored sustainability’s evolution from a peripheral concern to a central pillar in national development and organisational strategy.
Infrastructure and Regional Development Coordinating Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono emphasized in his opening remarks that environmental sustainability is no longer optional but integral to economic growth and public wellbeing. He framed the climate crisis as a multidimensional challenge affecting people's lives and called for balanced approaches that integrate economic progress with community wellbeing and environmental preservation. Agus stressed that collaboration among government, businesses, academia, communities, and media is essential for successful sustainability initiatives, noting that no single entity can address the challenges alone.
KG Media chief executive officer Andy Budiman echoed this message, highlighting that sustainability must extend beyond policy documents and reports to be embedded in every decision and operational aspect of organisations. Amid economic uncertainties and rapidly shifting technological landscapes, Budiman argued that sustainability should be approached as a strategic tool to build resilience and generate long-term value.
The Lestari Awards, now in its third year, recognized outstanding initiatives in 14 categories aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Categories encompassed areas such as ecosystems and waste management, circular economy, renewable energy, diversity and inclusion, talent development, local communities, supply chains, partnerships, and sustainable products and services. Importantly, the awards also provided a platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), acknowledging their critical role in driving change at various scales.
This year’s honorees included PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan Zone 1 for its Inclusive Harmony programme under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, PT Telkom Indonesia for its People Development Plan, PepsiCo Indonesia for sustainable agriculture and landscape management, and PT PLN (Persero) Banten Regional Unit for its innovative low carbon smart farming project. Among SMEs, Parongpong Raw Lab was recognized for its waste-to-material innovation, Pandawa Agri Indonesia for creating a smallholder farming ecosystem through RiceVitalize, and PT Khazanah Hijau Indonesia for its Rekosistem Waste Station initiative.
The selection process involved 12 independent judges from government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and sustainability professionals, divided into panels focusing on social, environmental, governance, and SME categories to ensure thorough evaluation based on expertise and relevant indicators.
Beyond Indonesia, the event also reflected growing regional cooperation in sustainability, with similar awards held simultaneously in Malaysia and the Philippines. This cross-border collaboration underscores the recognition that while sustainability challenges vary, shared learning and partnerships are vital to accelerate progress.
Overall, the Lestari Summit and Awards 2026 marked a shift from awareness to action, underscoring the importance of collective commitment to sustainability. While awards acknowledge notable achievements, the event’s broader message emphasized the ongoing journey toward building resilient organisations and communities that contribute to a sustainable future for Indonesia and the region.