Jakarta, 19 January 2026: The ERIA School of Government (ERIA So G) held a courtesy meeting with H.E. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia, to explore potential areas of collaboration on strengthening science-based policymaking and preventive health approaches in Indonesia and the wider region.

During the discussion, the ERIA So G highlighted its ongoing work on bio-manufacturing since 2024. To date, this initiative has focused primarily on the agricultural sector and on research and development in industries related to food and cosmetics. The ERIA So G expressed its interest in expanding this co-operation into the health sector, notably through collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Building on two rounds of Science and Industrial Dialogues on Bio-manufacturing hosted by ERIA, the School proposed further co-operation in biomedicine, particularly the use of algae, including seaweeds and related organisms, for health-related applications.

The meeting also underscored the importance of national science–policy co-operation and the need for governance frameworks grounded in scientific evidence, rather than driven solely by economic considerations. The ERIA So G emphasised its commitment to promoting good governance designs that integrate robust science–policy interfaces.

The ERIA So G also presented its proposals for advancing preventive medicine, including data-driven early detection and evidence-based health interventions. The discussion covered the development of a comprehensive preventive health agenda, encompassing precision diagnostics, health data systems, and predictive analytics to support more proactive and effective health policies.

Minister Sadikin welcomed the discussion and advised on potential counterparts and relevant units within the Ministry of Health for further technical collaboration.

This engagement reaffirms ERIA’s continued commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen governance and innovation in Indonesia and the broader region.

Photo credit: Bureau of Communication and Public Information, MoH of Indonesia