Indonesia Eyes Global Leadership in Disaster Technology Innovation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is seeking to transform its vulnerability to natural disasters into a strategic national strength, particularly in disaster management. The government is urging a shift from merely consuming technology to actively creating and innovating it.

Vice Minister of National Development Planning, Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, made the statement at a national seminar ahead of ADEXCO 2026 in Jakarta, Wednesday, 29 April 2026. The event highlighted the theme of technological innovation independence and disaster-related industrialization.

Febrian further affirmed that Indonesia’s high disaster risk should position the country as a global provider of disaster management technology. He expressed optimism that Indonesia could leverage its unique conditions to lead in this field.

“We live on the Ring of Fire, along earthquake paths, and face floods, landslides, droughts, and climate change simultaneously,” he said. He stressed that these realities should be turned into opportunities for innovation rather than ongoing vulnerability.

He warned against a reactive approach, where losses are calculated only after disasters occur and technology is procured afterward. “This is not a strategy at all; it is a cycle of dependency,” Febrian stated, highlighting the need for long-term planning and self-reliance.

The deputy minister voiced strong support for ongoing efforts by the Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) to advance disaster technology innovation. He said Indonesia should aim not just to be a market, but a global provider of disaster-related technologies.

“We have complex risks, the largest natural laboratory, and urgent needs that drive innovation,” he explained. According to him, if managed properly, Indonesia could become a global hub for the development and export of disaster technologies.

Febrian added that the government must play a central role in building an ecosystem that supports innovation and industrial downstreaming. “Disaster management must be integrated into national development planning, becoming part of Indonesia’s broader transformation toward its 2045 vision,” he said.

Meanwhile, BNPB Deputy for Systems and Strategy Raditya Jati noted that industrialization and downstreaming are key priorities under President Prabowo Subianto. He expressed hope that Indonesia could shift from being disaster-prone to becoming a center of innovation.

“We must achieve independence in disaster technology innovation,” he said, adding that such capacity would strengthen preparedness and resilience among communities.

ADEXCO Operational Director Andrian Cader stated that the seminar brought together government, industry, and innovators from both domestic and international backgrounds. He emphasized the need for an integrated ecosystem where research aligns with industry needs and innovation reaches the market.

“Innovation must not stop at the prototype stage; it must be mass-produced and widely utilized,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of financing and investment to sustain innovation growth.

ADEXCO, or the Asia Disaster Management and Civil Protection Expo and Conference, serves as an international platform for collaboration and discussion. The main event is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 12, 2026, further strengthening Indonesia’s role in global disaster management innovation.