BRIN and ANSTO Enhance Nuclear Cooperation, MoU Targeted for Completion by 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Vienna - Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have reaffirmed their commitment to continue and expand cooperation in nuclear science and technology between Indonesia and Australia. This commitment was conveyed during a bilateral meeting between BRIN Chairman Arif Satria and ANSTO CEO Shaun Jenkinson, held on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

In an official statement received on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, During the meeting, both delegations discussed the progress of finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BRIN and ANSTO, which is targeted for signing by the end of 2026. Both parties expressed readiness to immediately begin implementing various cooperation programs once the MoU is signed.

Arif Satria affirmed that collaboration with ANSTO holds great potential to deliver strategic benefits for both Indonesia and Australia, particularly in strengthening human resources in the nuclear sector. He noted that workforce readiness is just as important as the development of technology and facilities themselves. "Nuclear cooperation is not only about developing technology and facilities, but also about preparing the human resources who will develop, operate, and utilize that technology," Arif said.

In response, ANSTO stated its readiness to support the enhancement of Indonesia's nuclear workforce capacity through various programs in Australia. The Australian government has also prepared a funding scheme through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) program to support the implementation of this initiative.

Beyond workforce development, ANSTO also expressed openness to collaboration in nuclear health applications, including the use of ANSTO's synchrotron facility in Melbourne to support the development of applications aimed at directly benefiting patient care. Other strategic areas discussed include the development of research reactors, neutron diffraction and synchrotron research, and protocols for gamma and electron beam irradiation of food products.

In the health sector, cooperation is directed toward strengthening nuclear application research, including support for SPECT CT facilities being developed by the Ministry of Health at various hospitals, as well as the supply of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. The scope of cooperation could also expand into groundwater source detection, disaster and environmental management, radioactive waste management, and public education.

The meeting also addressed Australia's support for Indonesia's role in the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) under the IAEA. Australia affirmed its commitment to supporting Indonesia as RCA Chair in 2027, as well as backing Indonesia as host of the RCA National Representative Meeting planned to take place in Indonesia in mid 2027, a step expected to strengthen the national nuclear research ecosystem while opening broader collaboration opportunities between Indonesia and Australia in developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.