NRF Engages Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency on Advancing South-South Research Collaboration

On 21 July 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia, the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa convened with officials from the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to explore opportunities for mutual Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) collaboration between Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Asia-Pacific. The meeting built upon prior discussions held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre (ISTIC) under UNESCO, where thematic areas such as Water, Renewable Energy, and One Health were identified as key focus areas between the two regions. During the Jakarta engagement, BRIN expressed strong interest in working with the NRF on both basic and applied research projects, emphasising the importance of translating research findings into tangible impact for their respective nations and regions.

The discussions highlighted three main areas of mutual interest. First, both agencies underscored the importance of fostering multilateral collaboration between SSA and Asia-Pacific as part of broader South–South cooperation efforts. BRIN noted that it maintains robust ties with several African nations, which could serve as a foundation for expanded regional partnerships. Second, there was a shared commitment to strengthening the capacity of both regions through the establishment of mobility instruments designed to facilitate researcher exchanges, foster knowledge sharing, and build regional scientific capabilities. Lastly, the agencies discussed the potential for creating joint research and innovation programmes that would leverage the strengths of both regions, focusing on thematic areas aligned with global sustainability goals.

Both the NRF and BRIN reaffirmed their support for ongoing and future collaborations within the framework of the Global Research Council (GRC), emphasising the importance of international cooperation in advancing scientific progress. They expressed a mutual desire to promote and expand their partnership further, recognising the strategic value of regional collaboration in addressing shared global challenges. This meeting marks a significant step toward strengthening South–South scientific ties, with the potential to enhance innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development across Africa and Asia.

For further information on upcoming collaborative research initiatives between the NRF and BRIN, please contact Michael Nxumalo, email:  MG.Nxumalo@risa.nrf.ac.za.