UID Bali Campus, Kura - Kura Bali (September, 8 2024)

Kura Kura Bali, September 2024 - A historic moment occurred when His Holiness Pope Francis bestowed a special blessing on a mangrove seedling on September 4th 2024 at Cathedral Church, Jakarta. This mangrove seedlings were then planted at the Mohammed Bin Zayed - Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Center at Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone.

The mangrove seedling planting activity at Kura Kura Bali was attended by His Excellency Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs of Indonesia; The Honorable Father Marchin Schmidt, Pope Emissary, Scholas Founder and President of the Tri Hita Karana Institute, Poland; His Excellency Abdulah Salem Al-Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Indonesia and ASEAN; His Excellency Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, Acting Governor of Bali Province; The Honorable Mr. Tantowi Yahya, President of the United In Diversity Foundation and President Commissioner of Kura Kura Bali; The Honorable Mrs. Mari Elka Pangestu, Special Envoy for the G20 Bali Global Blended Finance Alliance (GBFA), Board of Trustee, United in Diversity Foundation, and Tri Hita Karana Forum Co-founder.

In his speech, H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also stated, "There are no coincidences. This is the plan of the universe. Later, we will try to develop this research, including studies on seaweed related to the environment, such as plastics, which are a significant problem. The issue of waste is the most crucial and perhaps the most challenging for me".

The planting of the mangrove seedling was a tangible demonstration of our collective concern and effort to create a better world. As Pope Francis said, “A hope that grows quietly in grace, planting peace in every place”. We hope that this mangrove planting event will become a symbol of nature conservation and earth protection. This aligns with the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which promotes harmonious relationships between human, human and God, and human and nature.

This activity was held with the support of various parties, including the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, the Bali Provincial Government, the Bali Provincial Police, the Indonesian National Army (TNI), Kura Kura Bali, United In Diversity, and others.