BRIN and Ukraine Sign Agreement on Antarctic and Tropical Research

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia and Ukraine's National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC) officially signed a science and technology partnership agreement to conduct joint research across Antarctic and tropical environments during a ceremony at the B.J. Habibie Building in Jakarta on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Initiated through bilateral discussions in 2025, the partnership aims to analyze the ecological and atmospheric connections linking polar regions with tropical zones. BRIN researchers have submitted nine joint research proposals that are currently under finalization with Ukrainian counterparts.

The collaborative scope encompasses polar-tropical climate interactions, climate change impacts, oceanography, geology, extreme-condition biodiversity adaptation, and marine ecosystem monitoring, with joint scientific seminars and potential joint research expeditions targeted for late 2026.

Research agency directors and foreign diplomats emphasized that connecting tropical expertise with established polar research institutions enhances global climate modeling and capacity building for young scientists. Deputy for Development Policy at BRIN Nunung Nuryartono highlighted the strategic significance of the bilateral agreement.

"This cooperation not only opens opportunities for joint research between Indonesia and Ukraine, but also strengthens efforts by both nations to understand the connection between polar and tropical regions that impact climate change, marine ecosystems, and the global environment, the signing of this partnership serves as a historic milestone in expanding the reach of Antarctic and tropical knowledge," Nunung said in Jakarta on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as quoted on BRIN's official website.

Chargé d’Affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Indonesia Yevhenia Shynkarenko noted the symbolic and practical value of combining polar and tropical research capabilities.

"Changes occurring in polar and tropical regions are interconnected within the global climate system, this agreement will serve as a operational framework for joint research, scientist exchanges, data sharing, and the development of new scientific projects involving the young generation of researchers from both countries," Yevhenia Shynkarenko noted. ***