RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - The City of Surabaya made its mark as the only Indonesian city invited to the 2026 Tokyo Global Forum on Children (TGFC) held in Japan from February 4 to 6, 2026. 

Following the event, the Surabaya Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) Head Irvan Wahyudrajad confirmed on Saturday, February 7, 2026, that the city joined 20 elite global counterparts from UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) to exchange innovative policies regarding children's rights. This prestigious selection highlights Surabaya’s growing international reputation as a leader in urban child welfare, standing alongside major world cities to discuss the future of the next generation.

"The Surabaya City Administration had the honor of directly presenting its child-friendly city development policies and models before 20 world cities, including Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Cardiff, Copenhagen, and Helsinki," he said, as quoted by Antara. 

He noted that Surabaya's presentation detailed a holistic and integrative child service approach that begins in early childhood and continues through the teenage years.

"This approach emphasizes that child-friendly policies in Surabaya are not sectoral, but rather integrated across ages and roles within the family and community," Irvan remarked. 

He further explained that the city actively involves parents, including the vital role of fathers, as a core part of the city’s parenting and educational ecosystem.

Puspita Ayuningtyas Prawesti, the Surabaya Bappeda Human Development Team Leader who represented the city in the forum, explained that Surabaya builds a child-friendly city by ensuring the presence of nearby, comprehensive, and sustainable public services. These services include education, health, social protection, mental health, character development, and family capacity building at the community level through the Balai RW (community centers).

"Surabaya ensures that the administration is present from early childhood, accompanying the crucial adolescent phase, and strengthening the roles of parents and fathers in upbringing. Children are not only protected, but their aspirations are also heard and valued in every city development process," Puspita concluded. 

This participation highlights Surabaya's commitment to international standards in urban child welfare. ***