"The planet world is urbanising at an unprecedented rate, and the ever higher rate of Asia's urbanisation is rapidly changing the region. Megacities are transforming into futuristic forms - economically, socially, spatially and geo-politically."

The challenges for societies and cities to cope with the changes as well as getting prepared for the impact of climate change, commercialization and digitalization are immense. Democratization, regional geopolitics and the presence of new major economies, are shaping how cities are governed, planned and managed.

The planning profession requires a constant readjustment to be able to cope with these changes. Contemporary urban issues and scale are now shaping a new paradigm of planning for the future. The constant pressure to avoid expulsions of people and to side for the group at the bottom of the pyramid is taking center stage, as tens of millions of citizens are becoming a new generation of urban residents.

Jakarta and its greater surrounding area – the second largest agglomeration in the world with over 30 million inhabitants – hosts many alarming phenomena such as inundation, sea water rise, waste generation, as well as massive land grabbing and inequality. Sitting in the middle of the ring of fire, this country of 17,000 islands around the equator, is going through a major transformation.

At the same time, the 1 Trillion-dollar economy Indonesia is gearing up to become the future powerhouse and growth center of the region. With the growing of numbers of new middle class and overall urban population in the next two decades, the momentum is right for planners to shape the future.

Together with our supporting partners, The Ministry of Planning and Land, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the City of Jakarta and Bogor and the Governor of West Java, I am proud to extend a warm invitation to planners, thought leaders and stakeholders to come to Jakarta and Bogor, and exchange ideas on how we can take up the above challenges. We are planning to have series of interactive sessions, field trips and forums to get to the bottom of the issues, as well as series of side events to enjoy this beautiful paradise in the heart of the equator."

Welcome to beautiful Indonesia!