AHY Opens Opportunities for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development Collaboration

The opportunity for collaboration was conveyed by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) during a session of the EAEU-ASEAN at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday (4/6/2026). In the forum, AHY asserted that the world is currently facing increasingly complex challenges, ranging from climate change and global economic uncertainty to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical dynamics affecting the stability and development of various nations. According to him, resilience can no longer be viewed as an option. Resilience must become part of a planned and sustainable national development design. “Resilience must be consciously designed through robust infrastructure development, energy security, food and water security, and trustworthy international partnerships,” said AHY. He affirmed that Indonesia continues to prioritise cooperation and collaboration as part of the solution to global challenges. “As conveyed by President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia chooses to build friendships with all nations. We believe in dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over competition, and mutually beneficial partnerships for all parties,” he continued. On this occasion, AHY outlined three main priorities for Indonesia’s infrastructure development. First, the decarbonisation of the transport sector as part of efforts to achieve the Net Zero Emissions target. Second, strengthening strategic connectivity through the integration of ports, logistics systems, and the national railway network. Third, the development of infrastructure resilient to climate change, including the protection of coastal areas through the Giant Sea Wall project. According to AHY, climate change has become a real challenge faced by Indonesia. Floods, coastal abrasion, extreme weather, rising sea levels, and land subsidence in several coastal areas require measurable, integrated, and long-term mitigation measures. “Indonesia is finalising the plan to build the Giant Sea Wall as part of a broader coastal protection agenda, particularly in the North Coast of Java region. This step is not merely about providing physical protection, but also about safeguarding the pulse of community life, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring the sustainability of social and economic ecosystems in coastal areas,” said AHY. He explained that the North Coast of Java area is one of the centres of national economic activity, playing a vital role in supporting industry, trade, logistics, ports, and public mobility. Therefore, coastal area protection is an important part of the long-term strategy to maintain the sustainability of national development. According to AHY, the Giant Sea Wall project opens up extensive international collaboration opportunities, ranging from coastal engineering, coastal protection and sea barrier technology, operation and maintenance systems, environmental monitoring technology, to joint research and development. Additionally, Indonesia is also opening cooperation opportunities in the clean energy sector, low-carbon transport, climate-resilient infrastructure, technology-based logistics systems, and a sustainable maritime economy, which are common needs for ASEAN and Eurasian countries. “Indonesia is open to various forms of collaboration that can strengthen national capacity while delivering sustainable solutions in addressing the challenges of climate change,” stated AHY. He added that global challenges cannot be answered merely with statements and good intentions. Tangible implementation that provides direct benefits to the community is required. “We need to move from dialogue to action, from frameworks to real projects, and from commitments to results that can be felt by the community,” he said. AHY invited ASEAN and Eurasian countries to strengthen the spirit of long-term collaboration and partnership in facing various global challenges. Through closer cooperation with Russia and Eurasian countries, the Indonesian Government hopes to accelerate the development of infrastructure that is more resilient, sustainable, and adaptive to climate change, whilst providing better protection for the community and supporting long-term economic growth. “Let us be the generation that chooses cooperation over fragmentation, resilience over vulnerability, and long-term partnership over short-term gain. Let us build not only stronger economies but also stronger trust among nations,” concluded AHY.