Enviro News Asia, Cibinong – Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Indonesian Mountaineering Federation (FMI) have initiated discussions on a strategic partnership to advance biodiversity research, environmental conservation, and scientific exploration across the country.
The discussion took place during a meeting between BRIN’s Research Organization for Life Sciences and Environment (ORHL) and the Executive Board of FMI at the Soekarno Science and Technology Area in Cibinong, Bogor, on July 15.
Head of BRIN’s Research Organization for Life Sciences and Environment, Andes Hamuraby Rozak, said the meeting marked the first step toward building long-term collaboration between the two institutions in research, biodiversity exploration, and environmental conservation.
He noted that FMI’s expertise in mountaineering and outdoor activities offers significant opportunities to support scientific expeditions and biodiversity mapping in remote areas of Indonesia.
According to Andes, FMI’s organizational network across 15 provinces could strengthen BRIN’s research capacity by facilitating field studies in regions that remain difficult to access. He added that FMI’s Search and Rescue (SAR) division and expertise in jungle survival and field operations would provide valuable support for scientific research conducted in forests and other challenging environments.
The two organizations identified several potential collaborative projects, including biodiversity expeditions in Boven Digoel, South Papua, as well as research activities in Maluku and Sulawesi. They also discussed opportunities to explore underwater mountains, which remain largely unexplored by scientific researchers.
Andes said both institutions aim to establish a joint working team to formulate practical cooperation programs and prepare a memorandum of understanding and other formal agreements to facilitate future collaboration.
Meanwhile, FMI President Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Buyung Lalana welcomed BRIN’s initiative and said the meeting had opened broad opportunities for cooperation in areas related to mountaineering, scientific research, environmental protection, disaster management, and outdoor safety.
He explained that FMI’s activities cover search and rescue operations, scientific development, nature-based recreation, tourist safety, and disaster response, all of which have strong potential to complement BRIN’s research programs.
Buyung added that further technical discussions would be required to ensure that future collaboration complies with BRIN’s institutional procedures and regulatory framework.
He also highlighted that FMI is supported by members from diverse professional and academic backgrounds whose expertise and extensive field experience could complement BRIN’s scientific capabilities.
Both institutions expressed optimism that the partnership will strengthen Indonesia’s research and innovation capacity while contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable natural resource management. (*)
