Bamboo took center stage at the Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy Exhibition (IPACS 2025), highlighting its remarkable adaptability beyond traditional uses. Participants from the Pacific and Southeast Asia presented groundbreaking applications of bamboo, emphasizing its potential to drive creativity, sustainability, and economic progress.
Elesi Koroi, representing the Fiji Arts Council, emphasized the cultural significance of bamboo crafts while noting the innovative possibilities showcased at the event. “Bamboo crafts are a big part of our culture, but here I learned we can even build bicycles, bowls, and other creative items. When I go back, I will teach everyone the different ways bamboo can be used. It’s free, readily available, and can generate income for families,” she stated enthusiastically.
The event served as a platform for exchanging ideas that could strengthen local communities. Najwa, a curator at the Bamboo Residence from the Environmental Bamboo Foundation in Denpasar, Bali, shared her thoughts on the empowerment potential of bamboo. “At the Bamboo Residence, we guide participants to explore the many possibilities of bamboo, empowering local communities, especially women and marginalized groups, to use bamboo for both craft and income,” she remarked.
Daisy Michael from the Solomon Islands echoed this perspective, advocating for the expansion of bamboo planting initiatives. “We should plant more bamboo because there are so many things we can make from it. Bamboo is unique, readily available, and when I go back home, I will teach others,” she said, highlighting the limitless opportunities that bamboo offers.
The initiatives highlighted at IPACS 2025 align with ongoing projects in Fiji aimed at promoting bamboo as a foundational element of sustainability. This movement has been particularly noticeable during events like World Bamboo Day, and the Fiji Bamboo Project, initiated by the government, is dedicated to leveraging bamboo for housing and economic development. This aligns with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization’s goals to combat poverty, tackle climate change, and enhance resource efficiency.
Fiji’s diverse bamboo species not only nurture traditional practices but also broaden opportunities for modern applications in construction and artistry. The commitment to bamboo cultivation as a sustainable practice marks a significant shift towards a greener future, where local resources bolster both livelihoods and environmental resilience.
By shining a spotlight on bamboo at IPACS 2025, stakeholders emphasize its role as a connector among communities, fostering innovation, cultural exchange, and economic development across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.