The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) International Programme Office and Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on 15 April 2026, in Shanghai, marking a critical step toward re-activating the IRDR National Committee (NC) Indonesia and establishing a new International Centre of Excellence (ICoE).
The partnership between the two organizations is not entirely new. Since 2018, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), which was the BRIN's predecessor, had hosted the IRDR NC Indonesia and intended to serve as a national platform for disaster risk research and policy coordination. However, following a major institutional restructuring that consolidated multiple research bodies into BRIN, the NC Indonesia became less active. The meeting on 15 April was convened specifically to address this gap. IRDR Executive Director Dr. Saini Yang and Science Officer Ms. Fang Lian met with BRIN's Dr. Luki Subehi, Head of the Research Organization of Earth Sciences and Maritime and his team, to chart a way forward.
Discussions centered on two complementary initiatives. First, the re-activation of the IRDR NC Indonesia, which would restore national-level coordination on disaster risk reduction, reconnect researchers and policymakers, and align local efforts with IRDR's global frameworks. Second, the potential establishment of an IRDR International Centre of Excellence (ICoE) affiliated with BRIN, which would serve as a regional hub for advanced research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange on multi-hazard disaster risk, climate resilience, and sustainable recovery. Pilot studies aligned with both organizations' missions were also discussed as near-term deliverables.
The signed Letter of Intent formally sets forth the mutual understanding to develop scientific and research collaboration. While largely non-binding, the LoI includes a confidentiality clause that will remain in effect until a formal cooperation is executed. Both parties agreed to move forward with follow-up discussions on details.
