BGS blogs

Visit by Indonesian Embassy representatives to BGS

Strengthening BGS/Indonesia scientific research partnerships to address the complex challenges Indonesia faces from natural hazards and maximising opportunities from mineral resources and geothermal energy.

27/08/2024 By BGS Press

Visitors from the Indonesian Embassy and BGS staff. Left to right: Dr Ekbal Hussain, BGS; Prof Khairul Mundai, Indonesian Embassy; Jenny Forster, BGS; Anggarini Sesotyoningtyas, Indonesian Embassy; Shaviera Indriyati, Indonesian Embassy; Prof Jonathan Chambers, BGS; Dr Joseph Mankelow, BGS. BGS © UKRI.

The environmental and societal challenges we face today are complex and multi-disciplinary. Addressing these challenges whilst maximising the opportunities for social and economic growth requires new and innovative ways of approaching problems through creative partnerships and collaborations.

BGS has a history and track record of collaborative science research partnerships in Indonesia. Recognising the need to further develop these relations, the BGS head office in Keyworth hosted a visit from Prof Khairul Munadi, the Indonesian education and cultural attaché, and representatives from the Indonesian Embassy in London.

The purpose of the visit was to showcase BGS’s research capabilities and learn more about Indonesia’s science, technology and development priorities. We began the discussions with an overview of BGS’s geological hazards research in Indonesia, which is partly funded by ongoing National Capability and UKRI research programmes. These research projects encompass hazard and risk from earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and urban subsidence.

Two maps of Indonesia: one is printed on material and is draped over a stand and the other is a 3D image of topographic relief — BGS has extensive working experience on natural hazards research in Indonesia, including hazard communication (left) and hazard modelling (right). BGS © UKRI.

Following this session, we had had a long and detailed discussion on BGS’s critical minerals research with a specific emphasis on nickel, for which Indonesia is the largest global supplier. Dr Desra Percaya, the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, joined us remotely for these discussions. Topics included the global supply of mineral resources, an introduction to the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre hosted at the BGS, and examples of ongoing BGS projects on mineral resource research around the world.

People sitting and standing in front of a screen with a presentation on it — We had detailed discussions on the international mineral resource research being done at BGS. BGS © UKRI.

We followed this session with discussions on geothermal energy, which is an abundant resource in Indonesia and of critical importance for the country’s decarbonisation and sustainable development goals. Indonesia is soon to overtake the USA as the largest producer of geothermal energy in the world.

Throughout the day we discussed pathways and opportunities to expand on BGS/Indonesia scientific partnerships, strengthen bi-lateral engagements and promote UK science and technology expertise.

We very much welcome this new stage in our relationship with the Indonesian Embassy and look forward to future engagements.