JAKARTA (November 16, 2023) – Two weeks before the start of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Forecasting Healthy Futures’ Institute for Health Modeling and Climate Solutions (IMACS) announced a groundbreaking climate and health partnership aimed at expanding the recently launched ClimateSmart Indonesia Initiative working to climate-proof Indonesian health systems. With today’s signing of a formal agreement between the government of Indonesia and Kolaborasi Riset dan Inovasi Industri AI Indonesia (KORIKA), the Initiative will work to develop an advanced early warning system for malaria and dengue, to help shape evidence-driven policies, pioneer data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, and drive comprehensive capacity-building programs.
As the world’s fourth most populous country (pop. 276 million) – acutely vulnerable to climate change with its frequency of flooding, extreme heat, and increasing natural disasters - Indonesia is on the front lines of the world’s climate-driven health crisis. ClimateSmart Indonesia will work to demonstrate innovative, climate-health solutions to the world while equipping country leaders to better defend populations from the increasing impacts of global warming – such as protecting freshwater availability, managing the risk of disasters, improving urban development, and building climate-resilient health systems.
Since the Initiative’s announcement at the AI Innovation Summit in Jakarta in August 2023, ClimateSmart Indonesia has been focused on developing a dynamic, interactive digital map of Indonesia – including the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions – to deliver data-driven insights to Indonesian policymakers and inform health system decisions.
At the upcoming COP28 in Dubai, ClimateSmart Indonesia will showcase an AI exhibit in the Indonesia pavilion, featuring the same Artificial Intelligence being used for the Initiative, initially piloted by IMACS in India. In addition, members of the Initiative’s technical working group – convened across ministries – will be on hand to showcase the Initiative’s initial accomplishments.
“Indonesia’s health systems are increasingly threatened by climate and environmental change, which is expanding the geographic reach of infectious diseases like malaria and dengue,” said Kelly Willis, Managing Director, Forecasting Healthy Futures. “Adaptive and proactive measures, such as ClimateSmart Indonesia, offer a cost-effective defense against the uncertainty and volatility introduced by global warming.”
“ClimateSmart Indonesia is an excellent example of what it means to be on the forefront of climate health innovation,” said Dr. Kaushik Sarkar, IMACS Director. “Together, this initiative’s early warning systems and climate-informed malaria planning tools will provide a massive step forward toward climate-proofing malaria elimination efforts.”
“AI is increasingly becoming a powerful tool for health professionals challenged with tackling our world’s mounting climate health challenges,” said Dr. Hosni Ghedira, MBZUAI Director of Research Engagement. “At MBZUAI, we are delighted to partner with ClimateSmart Indonesia to invest in large-scale health solutions.”
"Artificial Intelligence emerges as a powerful force with transformative potential within Indonesia's healthcare landscape, offering a paradigm shift in our approach to health systems," said Hammam Riza, President of KORIKA (Indonesian Collaborative Research and Industrial Innovation in AI). "As the ClimateSmart Indonesia initiative takes bold strides in advancing AI-empowered climate health solutions, we anticipate a groundbreaking impact on our ability to predict and plan for the most formidable health challenges. By leveraging AI insights, we unlock new possibilities for more effective resource allocation, targeted interventions, and proactive responses to emerging disease outbreaks and health threats."
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About Forecasting Healthy Futures
Forecasting Healthy Futures is a global coalition of leading health and technology organizations committed to mobilizing the political will, financial resources, and innovative solutions needed to protect global health gains from the threats posed by climate change. Malaria No More convenes and leads the consortium. Forecasting Health Futures’ partners include Reaching the Last Mile, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), PATH, the Tableau Foundation, IBM’s Weather Company, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). For more information, visit: www.ForecastingHealthyFutures.org.
About Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
MBZUAI is a graduate, research university focused on artificial intelligence, computer science, and digital technologies across industrial sectors. The university aims to empower students, businesses, and governments to advance artificial intelligence as a global force for positive progress. MBZUAI offers various graduate programs designed to pursue advanced, specialized knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence, including computer vision, machine learning, and natural language processing. For more information, please visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae
About KORIKA
KORIKA, Collaborative Research and Industrial Innovation in AI, stands as a pioneering force in advancing the landscape of AI research, development, and innovation within Indonesia. Established in 2021, KORIKA has consistently been at the forefront of catalyzing progress in the field of artificial intelligence. Their dedication to fostering trustworthy AI systems, while respecting the rich cultural and societal values of Indonesia, aligns seamlessly with the nation's ambitious vision of becoming a global innovation powerhouse. KORIKA has become a pivotal hub, bringing together experts, researchers, and industry leaders to collectively drive the growth and application of AI technologies. For more information, please visit: https://korika.id/.
