In March 2025, YEKR had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 1^st International Symposium on Biodiversity, Conservation, and Ecotourism (BCE Symposium) held in Yogyakarta. This symposium is a forum or meeting initiated to discuss issues related to biodiversity, including research and utilization.

This event serves as a platform for discussion and knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking, and the development of innovative solutions to address the challenges of biodiversity conservation and utilization.

The symposium, initiated and funded by the Indonesian Science Fund (DIPI), began with remarks and was officially opened by the Chairman of the Board, Prof. Jatna Supriatna. Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Hendra Yusran Siri, Expert Staff to the Minister, and Satryo Bodjonegoro, Expert Staff to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

This inaugural symposium involved national and international participants from diverse backgrounds, including students, researchers, environmental practitioners, academics, and community-based business groups. Several international practitioners and academics also participated as speakers, including those from Darwin Institute in Australia and University of Aberdeen in the UK.

In addition, several national institutions/NGOs participated in the event, including KEHATI , Konservasi Indonesia, RAPP, Flora & Fauna Indonesia, and University of Indonesia.

The event lasted for two days. Over 188 participants, who had registered their abstracts, had the opportunity to present their studies and research in English, followed by a discussion and Q&A session.

A representative from Ecology Foundation presented a presentation entitled "Developing Hawksbill Turtle Conservation-Based Edu-ecotourism for the Socio-Economic of Mapur Island Community in Bintan Regency." This presentation addressed a conservation program for protected marine life, specifically sea turtles, that has been running for several years in collaboration with community surveillance groups (Pokmaswas).

Several abstracts from participants at this event have been registered in the Scopus Q2 Index for Biodiversity. The venue also featured booths from various NGOs and participants displaying products, books, and information on the implementation of their programs.

It is hoped that in the following years, YEKR will be more involved and participate in other events like this symposium, so that it has the opportunity to produce research publications and biodiversity studies and be known to national and international level, so that the great potential that exists in the Riau Islands Province can be explored like that in other provinces in Indonesia.