When Dr. Valérie Verdier, president and CEO of France’s Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), arrived in Indonesia in June 2026, her visit was greater than only a diplomatic engagement. Fifty years of scientific partnership between France and Indonesia were celebrated, resulting in advances in research on climate resilience, disaster mitigation, biodiversity, public health, agriculture and sustainable development across the archipelago.
The anniversary was celebrated on the residence of the French Ambassador in Jakarta, bringing together government officials, researchers, scientists and development partners. Taking place shortly after President Emmanuel Macron and President Prabowo Subianto adopted a joint declaration on education, research and mobility throughout the Indonesian President’s state visit to Paris, the event highlighted the growing role of science and innovation within the France-Indonesia strategic partnership.
Five many years of scientific cooperation
Indonesia’s collaboration with IRD began in 1976, making it one in every of the institute’s longest-standing collaborations in Asia. Over the past fifty years, collaboration has expanded to incorporate climate science, marine biodiversity, agriculture, geosciences, disaster risk reduction and public health.
The depth of the partnership is reflected in its achievements. Between 2020 and 2024, French and Indonesian researchers co-authored 266 scientific publications. IRD currently supports joint laboratories on marine biodiversity and geological hazards, working closely with BRIN, BMKG, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Institut Teknologi Bandung, IPB University and various research institutions across Indonesia.
As Dr. Verdier emphasized on the ceremony, long-term scientific cooperation can generate knowledge that can directly profit society, from strengthening tsunami warning systems to improving food security and environmental sustainability. French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone similarly noted that scientific cooperation has change into one in every of the strongest foundations of bilateral relations, driven by a shared commitment to research, innovation and the event of future generations of scientists.
From research to real-world solutions
The partnership’s impact goes far beyond academic publications.
One example is the SAMUDRA project, a French-Indonesian initiative to reinforce tsunami early warning capabilities through advanced submarine monitoring technologies and real-time data evaluation. Another is the FortRiz project, which supports Indonesia’s efforts to enhance school nutrition through fortified rice and evidence-based nutrition interventions.
These initiatives exhibit how research could be transformed into practical solutions that improve quality of life, strengthen resilience and support national development priorities. They also reflect Indonesia’s growing role as a scientific leader in Southeast Asia, particularly in areas comparable to marine ecosystems, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and geological hazard management.
Strengthening the innovation bridge
The highlight of the visit was the signing of 5 memorandums of understanding between French and Indonesian institutions, signaling a brand new phase of cooperation specializing in research mobility, institutional partnerships, innovation and sustainable development.
The agreements included cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, the World Food Program in Indonesia and IPB University. Together, these partnerships aim to strengthen research in sustainable agriculture, food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and capability constructing for young scientists.
The agreements also reflect a broader vision of bilateral cooperation. As a part of the Year of Indonesia and France 2026, the 2 countries have expanded cooperation in higher education, innovation, museums, literature, cinema and scientific research. Joint university programs and research initiatives are expected to foster greater people-to-people contacts while encouraging interdisciplinary innovation.
The partnership is increasingly aligned with Indonesia’s development priorities. France has committed to sharing institutional expertise, logistics systems and governance frameworks to support Indonesia’s Makan Bergizi Gratis program, demonstrating how research, innovation and public policy can work together to handle societal challenges.
Apart from science, each countries also confirmed their commitment to international cooperation. During a recent state visit to Paris, Presidents Macron and Prabowo approved a joint declaration in support of a two-state solution for Palestine and expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.
Looking ahead to the following fifty years
Research partnerships are sometimes measured in many years slightly than years. The success of France-Indonesia relations shows that constructive cooperation requires trust, continuity and a shared commitment to solving common challenges.
As Indonesia seeks to change into a high-income country and France strengthens its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, research and innovation will play a fair greater role in connecting the 2 countries. But perhaps probably the most significant change concerns the character of the partnership itself.
For much of the last fifty years, Indonesia has often been viewed primarily as a spot for scientific observations and fieldwork. Today, each countries are adopting a brand new model – one during which Indonesia and France are equal partners, jointly shaping research agendas, co-creating knowledge and developing solutions to shared global challenges.
This change is increasingly reflected in government policy. Dr. Fauzan Adziman, ST, M.Eng., Director General of Research and Development on the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), emphasized that Indonesia not sees itself merely as a bunch of international research projects, but as an lively partner in determining their direction and outcomes. He also stressed the willingness of the Government of Indonesia to take part in co-financing future joint initiatives, strengthening a partnership built on shared ownership, mutual responsibility and long-term commitment.
As Dr. Verdier’s visit symbolizes, the following fifty years is not going to be about simply continuing a successful partnership, but about redefining it. In a world increasingly shaped by complex global challenges, the experience of France and Indonesia offers a robust lesson: when nations spend money on science together as equals, they create solutions that profit not only themselves however the world.
