Enviro News Asia, Bandung — Indonesia and the United States have significant opportunities to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in science and technology, particularly in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced computing, energy, healthcare, climate, agriculture, and maritime technology.
The issue was highlighted by Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo during a public lecture titled “Indonesia-US Science and Technology Diplomacy” at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) on September 2, 2026.
The lecture was attended by more than 1,100 students, along with ITB Rector Prof. Tatacipta Dirgantara, vice rectors, professors, and faculty members. The event provided a platform to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between Indonesia and the United States.
Indroyono, an ITB alumnus, highlighted the historical role of the United States in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. The US was involved in mediating the Linggarjati negotiations in 1946 and the Renville Agreement aboard the USS Renville in 1948, while also supporting efforts leading to the Round Table Conference in The Hague in 1949.
Through United Nations mediation and American participation in the United Nations Commission for Indonesia, Washington contributed to efforts that eventually paved the way for international recognition of Indonesian sovereignty.
On December 28, 1949, one day after sovereignty was formally transferred, the United States officially recognized Indonesia. US diplomat H. Merle Cochran presented a letter of credence from President Harry S. Truman to President Sukarno, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Building on Strategic Partnership
Speaking before the ITB audience, Indroyono emphasized that Indonesia’s foreign policy is based on the principle of “free and active” engagement, as reflected in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution.
“Free” means that Indonesia does not align itself with any major power bloc, while “active” means participating in efforts to resolve international problems and promote global peace.
As Indonesia’s presidential representative in the United States, the ambassador said his responsibilities include representing the Indonesian nation, state, people, and government; strengthening political, economic, social, cultural, defense and security, and people-to-people cooperation; and protecting Indonesian citizens living in the United States.
Current bilateral cooperation is supported by the Indonesia-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and its 2024-2028 Plan of Action.
The framework covers a broad range of areas, including fair and balanced trade, energy, technology, defense, regional security, critical minerals, maritime security, and the digital economy.
Indonesia and the United States are both major democracies with large populations. The US has approximately 349 million people, while Indonesia has around 288 million as of 2026.
The two countries also possess complementary strengths. Indonesia has substantial cultural diversity, rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and significant natural-resource potential. The United States, meanwhile, has strong capabilities in science and technology, natural resources, and defense.
These complementary strengths create opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Research and Technology Cooperation
The United States has one of the world’s strongest research ecosystems. Its research and development expenditure reached approximately USD 940 billion in 2023, supported by research universities, national laboratories, and a private sector capable of translating research outcomes into commercial products.
Indroyono said this ecosystem provides significant opportunities for Indonesia-US science and technology cooperation.
Areas considered particularly relevant for Indonesia include STEM talent development and joint research, artificial intelligence, data centers and advanced computing, semiconductors and electronics manufacturing, healthcare, climate, energy, and maritime technology.
During the lecture, Indroyono proposed several concrete steps to strengthen bilateral science diplomacy.
The process could begin with the establishment of a joint Indonesia-US committee on science and technology diplomacy, followed by the identification of priority sectors such as semiconductors, energy, healthcare, agriculture, maritime affairs, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
The two countries could then identify relevant ministries, research institutions, universities, industrial zones, and companies to participate in collaborative projects, including pilot projects capable of delivering tangible results within a relatively short period.
The proposed framework would also need to establish financing mechanisms, talent development and mobility pathways, as well as clear rules governing intellectual property, data, and security.
The overarching objective is to ensure that research is closely connected to industrial needs and can generate practical economic and technological benefits.
Such cooperation could strengthen Indonesia’s technological and research capacity while providing the United States with a stable innovation partner in the Indo-Pacific.
The participation of more than 1,100 ITB students reflected strong interest among Indonesia’s younger generation in science and technology diplomacy.
As one of Indonesia’s leading centers for science and technology development, ITB is positioned to play a strategic role as a hub for research cooperation between Indonesia and the United States. (*)
