Banda Aceh Mayor honored for environmental and climate leadership

Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal has received recognition for her leadership in environmental preservation and sustainability. During the Apresiasi Swara Cantika (ASCA) 2026 in Jakarta, she was honored in the category of Pioneer and Mover of Public Space for her efforts in improving access to education, health, and environmental recovery.

To combat climate change and waste issues, the Mayor implemented the Waste Collecting Point (WCP) system, which utilizes a community-based 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach. This initiative specifically engages women in local villages (gampongs) to manage waste, turning materials like organic waste into compost and plastic into paving blocks or crafts, thereby boosting local economies.

Since 2019, the city has expanded its Climate Village Program (ProKlim) from a single location to 64 registered sites. This strategy aims to build climate resilience in the coastal city through urban farming and systematic waste management, inspired by models such as Higashishima, Japan.