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ClimateSmart Indonesia Launches Novel AI Public Health Platform to Tackle Climate-Driven Diseases 

JAKARTA (May 12, 2025) – As part of a broader effort to build more climate-resilient health systems, ClimateSmart Indonesia recently launched (5/5/2025) the world’s first AI-enabled, dual-capability technology platform for forecasting and responding to climate-sensitive diseases.   

Developed by the Institute for Health Modeling and Climate Solutions (IMACS),  the Indonesian Collaborative Research and Industrial Innovation in AI (KORIKA), and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the technology platform debuted in Jakarta during the “ClimateSmart Indonesia Innovation Forum” under the auspices of Indonesia’s Ministries of Health, Environment, and Communications and Digital Affairs, and in partnership with the country’s meteorology, climatology, and geophysical agency BMKG. The ClimateSmart Indonesia initiative has been working in partnership with these agencies and other stakeholders over the last two years, to advance climate and health data systems and their application in Indonesia, through a collaborative process with funding from Reaching the Last Mile (RLM) and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.  

Climate & Health Technological Breakthrough 

The technology platform developed under the ClimateSmart Indonesia initiative has two main features representing major advances in public health data systems and technology: 

  • Digital Twin Indonesia that visually models future climate and weather scenarios, and maps emerging disease hotspots to allow early intervention for prevention and response. 
  • AI Dashboard that delivers hyperlocal forecasts, real-time alerts, and scenario-based planning tools for public health officials to improve the cost-efficiencies of disease control programs.  

With predictive accuracy exceeding 90%, this system can anticipate outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever, leptospirosis, and 4 other climate-sensitive diseases. 

An Ecosystem for the Future 

The technology platform’s technological innovations include: 

  • AI-based malaria detection from microscope images research 
  • Development of a GPT-RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) language model for climate-health policy, combining the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) with retrieval mechanisms to provide contextually relevant and accurate responses. 
  • A powerful database architecture that integrates climate, health, and demographic data 

ClimateSmart Indonesia aims to help the Indonesia Government design and implement a “best in class” early warning and response system (EWARS) to address the growing threat of climate-sensitive diseases and other challenges to public health.  

“Indonesia is the ideal location for establishing a regional center of excellence for AI, climate, and health. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics, Indonesia is pioneering innovative approaches to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate the complex health challenges posed by our changing climate,” said Prof. Dr. Hammam Riza, President of KORIKA. “In the coming weeks, we hope to launch a task force to plan for this center of excellence, which will build on Indonesia’s national ecosystem of innovation, science, and governance, serving as a resource for other countries working toward more climate-resilient health systems.”

The launch of the novel digital technologies by the ClimateSmart Indonesia partners represents a pivotal step in the nation’s use of AI to tackle the dual challenges of climate change and public health. “This is not just a technological milestone; it reflects a strong national commitment to protecting lives today while building a more resilient and sustainable future through innovation and global collaboration,” stated Vice Minister of Komdigi Nezar Patria, M.Sc., MBA.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Chairman Dwikorita Karnawati said the urgency of integrating climate and health data to address escalating disease threats. “Studies show that climate is a significant driver of increased human exposure to various diseases,” she said. “Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns affect exposure to water- and food-borne illnesses, such as salmonella, and vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease.”

“ClimateSmart Indonesia represents a paradigm shift in how we approach climate-sensitive diseases,” said Michael Andreas Purwoadi, Infrastructure Deputy at BMKG. “By integrating climate and health information and harnessing AI for prediction and planning, it enables Indonesia to analyze and address disease risks with unprecedented speed and precision.” 

“By integrating climate and health intelligence, Indonesia is setting a global precedent,” said Dr. Setiaji, Chief of the Digital Transformation Office at the Ministry of Health. “Through Satu Sehat and ClimateSmart, we’re defining the future of digital public health.”

“To strengthen the resilience of the health system, we need strong health data and significant investments in early warning systems and surveillance. Accurate data is essential for climate-related disease strategy development,” said Then Suyanti, Director of Environmental Health at the Ministry of Health, representing the Minister of Health Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

During the event, Kelly Willis, Global Lead of the Forecasting Healthy Futures Consortium, highlighted the role of climate data and AI in predicting and preventing the health impacts of climate change. “Forecasting Healthy Futures has a broader mandate to protect global health gains against climate change’s effects. We work by convening experts and mobilizing funding worldwide to invest in health systems that are vulnerable to climate change, making them more resilient,” she explained.

Dr. Kashik Sarkar, Director of IMACS, emphasized that climate change impacts health in three significant ways: it determines who is affected, where individuals can access services, and how diseases cluster geographically, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations. He stated, “These dynamics make climate and health information crucial. Unfortunately, climate and health data are still siloed across the globe. As a result, most health systems lack an integrated solution. This is where AI comes in; it can help merge this information.”

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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 Reaching the Last Mile 

Reaching the Last Mile (RLM) is a portfolio of global health programs working towards disease elimination that is driven by the personal commitment of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates. The Initiative provides treatment and preventative care in communities that lack access to quality health services, with a specific focus on reaching the last mile of disease elimination. RLM’s mission represents His Highness’s dedication to ending preventable diseases that affect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities and helping millions of children and adults live healthy, dignified lives. For more information, visit: https://www.ReachingTheLastMile.com 

For media inquiries, please contact: Sharan Sunner | Seven Media, on behalf of Reaching the Last Mile, sharansunner@sevenmedia.ae | +971 (0)55 698 4327 

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/.  

Blogs / News / Press Releases / Uncategorized - 05/12/2025

Forecasting Healthy Futures Discusses Scaling Wolbachia Replacement Technology to Block Dengue Transmission with Oxitec CEO, Grey Frandsen

In a discussion with Forecasting Healthy Futures, Oxitec's CEO Grey Frandsen discusses the company’s latest milestone: breaking ground on the world’s largest Wolbachia mosquito facility. As part of Oxitec’s Sparks™ platform, this facility will accelerate the global scale-up of Wolbachia replacement technology, a proven, sustainable method of limiting mosquitoes’ ability to transmit dengue. 

Can you tell us about dengue and why Oxitec is working to address this issue specifically?

FRANDSEN: The world is experiencing a dengue crisis. Last year, the World Health Organization highlighted that cases were the highest on record, most likely in the hundreds of millions. Climate change is driving the spread of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into new territories, and existing tools are failing to keep pace – innovative, climate-resilient, sustainable solutions are urgently needed, at scale, to mitigate the worsening effects of climate change on the spread of dengue.

In forging a path for new mosquito technologies to combat Aedes aegypti, Oxitec has led the way in developing and scaling good mosquitoes to fight disease-spreading mosquitoes. With two decades of innovation, pilots and regulatory approvals, we’re now scaling up two technologies to meet this growing challenge: Friendly™ mosquitoes to suppress Aedes aegypti, and Sparks™ Wolbachia mosquitoes to block dengue transmission.

Oxitec’s Friendly™ technology is highly targeted and effective in reducing biting and disease transfer of mosquitoes in urban environments, serving both public and private customers. Sparks™ Wolbachia mosquitoes will complement this solution, providing an area-wide intervention for governments.

Oxitec just announced it broke ground on the world’s largest Wolbachia mosquito facility in Brazil. Can you tell us more about the facility and why this is significant?

FRANDSEN: Oxitec already operates the world’s biggest mosquito factory, supplying Friendly™ Aedes technology – the world’s first commercially scaled mosquito-base suppression technology – to communities, businesses, schools, hospitals and other customers across Brazil seeking effective mosquito-control.

Now, we’re leveraging our proven infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and implementation systems into building Brazil’s largest Wolbachia production facility. Wolbachia is already proven to reduce dengue transmission in communities – we’re excited to be playing our part in helping make this solution available to a larger number of communities.

What makes this significant is scale. With this facility, we’ll be able to protect up to 100 million people a year from dengue—just from this one site. And we’re building it in Brazil, a country on the front line of the global dengue crisis, so we can deliver this technology to the communities that need it most, in Brazil and globally, leveraging Oxitec’s global distribution network.

What is Wolbachia Replacement Technology? Is it safe?

Wolbachia Replacement Technology – or WRT – is a natural, safe and proven method that uses mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacterium to reduce the spread of dengue. When these mosquitoes are released into a community, Wolbachia spreads through the mosquito population and blocks the viruses they carry. Over time, this reduces the mosquitoes' ability to transmit disease.
It’s been tested extensively, including in a landmark trial in Indonesia that showed a 77% reduction in dengue cases and an 86% drop in hospitalizations. Regulatory bodies worldwide have reviewed it, and it’s been safely used in many countries.

What’s your hope with scaling WRT?

FRANDSEN: Ultimately, our mission is to protect one billion people from dengue. The science is there. Now the challenge is scale. That’s what the Sparks™ platform aims to achieve – taking a proven technology and building the infrastructure and partnerships to deliver it affordably, at speed, and at scale. Our aim is that, by scaling Wolbachia, we can deliver widespread, lasting impact to communities most vulnerable to dengue, helping address an urgent public health challenge.

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Blogs / News / Uncategorized - 04/10/2025

Our Take | Refreshed Goals for the Climate and Health Movement Heading into 2025

As a matter of some urgency, our loosely organized but highly engaged and growing coalition of climate and health advocates needs to know how we answer the questions: What's next? What exactly is it that we want to achieve?   

Author: Kelly Willis, Global Lead, Forecasting Healthy Futures Consortium

By now, we’ve all had a chance to absorb the outcomes of COP29 in Azerbaijan and reflect on the gains we’ve made in moving health closer to the center of climate discourse. One of the most significant gains, of course, being the establishment of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health.

As Stefan Anderson wrote for Health Policy Watch, “The coalition’s key achievement… is significant: after decades of fighting, health advocates and WHO officials will no longer have to relitigate the importance of health as a central concern in climate talks.”

Where will we now direct the time and energy we’ve been spending over “decades of fighting”, just trying to get health on the UNFCCC map?

The question reminds me of one Minister of Health Chiponda of Malawi asked a room full of delegates at this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, in a meeting convened by the COP28 Presidency. “What next after ‘Health Day’?” she asked, referring to last year’s milestone December 3 event in Dubai. “Is it going to be Health Week? Health Month? What exactly is it that we want to achieve?”

As a matter of some urgency, our loosely organized but highly engaged and growing coalition of climate and health advocates needs to know how we answer that question.

Of course, there is no shortage of worthy climate policy goals to pursue in the interest of global health. We’ll continue to push for integrating health in NDCs and ensuring health indices in the global goal on adaptation. We’ll work to see that health-determinant sectors also adapt and become more resilient. We’ll pursue health co-benefits by promoting mitigation in energy, transport, agriculture, food, and other sectors. We should certainly collaborate to identify further action opportunities in all of these areas.

But maybe a definitive starting point would be to establish a global goal for climate finance to support health adaptation initiatives in developing countries.

For all the disappointment around the grossly inadequate $300B target for climate financing negotiated in Baku last month, we shouldn’t lose sight of the opportunity it affords the sectors that most convincingly make a compelling investment case. I can think of few sectors where those funds could have as much impact as in public health.

How much of that $300B should be used to protect lives from the impact of climate change by addressing worsening climate-sensitive disease? How much of it should be used to build resilient health systems and protect against future impact? To fund early warning and response systems? To improve the underlying health of our most vulnerable populations?

Forecasting Healthy Futures invites more urgent dialogue around refreshed goals for the climate and health movement. It’s one of the things we hope to do in earnest at our next Global Summit, scheduled for April 8 -10 in Rio de Janeiro.

Please reach out to see how you and your organization can be involved in our planning!

Register here to participate in person or virtually at our 2025 Forecasting Healthy Futures Global Summit.

Blogs / News - 12/11/2024
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Earth exceeds safe limits: First Planetary Health Check issues red alert

The launch of the Planetary Health Check is based on the publication of the inaugural Planetary Health Check Report, which represents a crucial step in collective efforts to understand and protect the stability and resilience of Earth. The report will be published annually in recognition of the importance of regular updates on Earth’s health, representing a significant advancement in providing consistent insights for stakeholders globally.

Uncategorized - 09/27/2024
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NIH-Funded Climate and Health Center Launches at Columbia

A new center called Climate and Health: Action and Research for Transformational Change (CHART) aims to build research capacity and catalyze and coordinate climate and health research and evidence-based solutions on climate change across Columbia University. CHART, which is funded by a three-year $4.2 million grant from the National Institute of Aging (NIA), will also promote climate justice through community engagement.

Uncategorized - 09/27/2024
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