RRI.CO.ID, Nusantara - Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital, is positioning itself as a global model for sustainable urban development. This commitment was highlighted during an academic visit from the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, a leading public research university based in College Park, near Washington, D.C., renowned for excellence in research, innovation, and public policy.

The visit, held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the IKN Authority Office, served as a strategic forum to discuss the development of Nusantara as a future-ready capital city emphasizing modern governance, sustainable infrastructure, and integrated sustainability principles.

During the session, IKN Authority Head Basuki Hadimuljono outlined the city’s comprehensive development, covering the relocation vision and strategy, basic infrastructure development, and approaches grounded in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Basuki emphasized the government’s strong and consistent commitment to moving the capital to Nusantara.

“President Prabowo’s commitment to relocating the capital to Nusantara has been clearly stated in many international forums, including the G20. I invite everyone to come and see IKN firsthand. Public enthusiasm is very high, during the recent Christmas and New Year period, over 300,000 people visited the city,” Basuki said.

Prof. Thomas C. Hilde, Ph.D., a faculty member from the University of Maryland, expressed hope that Nusantara will become a global benchmark, particularly for building a green future.

“IKN is an extraordinary and ambitious project. Such ambition is vital for creating a greener future. I hope Nusantara continues to set an example for the world,” Thomas stated.

The high public interest and international attention indicate that IKN is not only projected as Indonesia’s new administrative center but also as a global laboratory for inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented urban planning. Through this academic visit, the IKN Authority hopes to strengthen international collaboration in public policy and urban planning while fostering global knowledge exchange to realize Nusantara as a sustainable world capital.