The United States and Indonesia were pleased to meet May 21-23 in Washington, DC to celebrate and explore further cooperation related to science, technology, and higher education during the fourth U.S.-Indonesia Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology and related meetings. The delegations, led by U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Judith G. Garber and Indonesian Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir, discussed bilateral cooperation in the areas of marine, atmospheric and earth sciences, environment and biodiversity, and encouraging S&T innovation and entrepreneurship. Each side also shared the science and technology priorities of their respective Administrations. Both sides agreed to hold a workshop on biodiversity in 2019, further explore the signing of the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) agreement, explore ways that science can inform bilateral wildlife trafficking and conservation efforts, and continue cooperation in ocean and climate sciences.

The Indonesian delegation also had the pleasure to visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Satellite Operations Facility, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center, and National Science Foundation to learn more about the work done there and to discuss Indonesia’s efforts in related fields.

On May 23, Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), met Minister Nasir. Nasir expressed interest in expanding partnerships between U.S. and Indonesian universities and expressed support for an IVLP on Demand for Indonesians to learn more about America’s community college system.

The visit deepened the science, technology and higher education relationship between the United States and Indonesia, which provides unique and valuable ways to increase scientific and economic opportunities for Americans and Indonesians.