BRIN Expands Marine Research and Climate Mitigation by Kuroshio Symposium

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing marine science and technology as well as climate change mitigation at the regional and global level. The commitment was voiced at the opening of the Third International Scientific Symposium on Cooperative Study of Kuroshio 2 (CSK2), held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In an official statement received on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, BRIN's Deputy for Development Policy, Nunung Nuryartono, stated that marine science and technology hold strategic importance for Indonesia. He noted that roughly 70 percent of Indonesia's sovereign territory consists of ocean waters, making mastery of marine science and technology a fundamental national need.

According to her, Indonesia is not new to this field. Since the 1980s and 1990s, the government has consistently built up marine research capacity and facilities in order to explore and use ocean resources sustainably, ranging from fisheries to oil and gas.

As proof of that commitment, BRIN has revitalized several laboratories, including those on Lombok Island, Pari Island, and at the Ancol Marine Science Complex in North Jakarta. Beyond that, Indonesia is also currently building a new research vessel to support the development of marine science and technology at both the national and regional level.

On the organizational side, senior researcher at BRIN's Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, Augy Syahailatua, explained that this year's symposium continues a series of scientific gatherings previously held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2023 and Sendai, Japan in 2024. The forum serves as a platform for researchers and stakeholders from various countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration in marine research.

The two day symposium carries the theme "Enhancing Ocean Climate Partnerships for Sustainable Development in the Kuroshio and Surrounding Regions." A total of 25 speakers from government institutions, research bodies, universities, and civil society organizations are taking part, including eight who are early career ocean professionals (ECOPs). Augy expressed hope that the event would produce valuable scientific insight and innovative ideas that boost the impact of the CSK2 program for the wider public.

Indonesia's involvement in the Cooperative Study of Kuroshio (CSK) program is nothing new. The country took part in the first phase of CSK from 1965 to 1979 and is now actively engaged in CSK2, which runs from 2021 to 2030.

Principal researcher at the Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kentaro Ando, expressed full support for the collaboration. He noted that scientific contributions and publications generated through international cooperation under CSK2 have continued to grow, with this year's research focus centered on two priorities, namely climate and ocean ecosystems.

Through this cross border collaboration, BRIN hopes to further strengthen international strategic partnerships, boost Indonesia's tangible contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science, and deliver lasting positive impact for communities across the region and around the world.