Basarnas Strengthens International Network to Boost Rescue Response
Indonesia is increasingly strengthening its position as a hub for international collaboration in search and rescue (SAR). This was marked by the opening of the Indonesia International Search and Rescue (IISAR) 2026 at the Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE), PIK 2, Tangerang, on Thursday (9/7/2026).
The four-day international event brings together domestic and foreign stakeholders to discuss the challenges of rescue operations in the era of climate change and to introduce the latest SAR technology.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno considered the staging of IISAR 2026 highly relevant given the growing threat of disasters caused by climate change and the high disaster risk in Indonesia, which lies in the Ring of Fire region.
“Climate change is intensifying, and Indonesia is also an archipelagic nation located in the Ring of Fire. Hydrometeorological disasters continue to haunt us,” said Pratikno.
According to him, these challenges make search and rescue capabilities increasingly important because every second determines the safety of victims. He said strengthening SAR operations cannot rely on past experience alone. The use of the latest technology must go hand in hand with improving the quality of human resources and strengthening the empathy of rescue personnel.
He also reminded that SAR operations are a shared responsibility involving Basarnas, the TNI, the National Police, central government, regional governments, and volunteers. “In rescue operations, every minute is precious for saving lives. That is why all parties must be able to move quickly,” he asserted.
Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Mohammad Syafii explained that IISAR 2026 is the inaugural edition, initiated as an implementation of the mandate of Law Number 29 of 2014 on Search and Rescue. According to him, the event is not merely an exhibition, but a platform for communication, education, coordination, and collaboration for national and international SAR communities.
He said 28 countries are involved in IISAR 2026, albeit with varying levels of participation, ranging from discussion forums and technology exhibitions to rescue capability competitions. In this international forum, participants exchange knowledge on rescue operating standards from various global organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group.
Syafii said this learning is vital because it serves as a reference for Basarnas in handling various types of search and rescue operations, from aircraft accidents and maritime disasters to disaster response.
IISAR 2026 also features a competition between national and international SAR teams as a means of sharing operational experience in the field.
“We want all participants to gain education about operating mechanisms, working relationships, and the latest developments in emergency response,” he said.
One of the attractions of IISAR 2026 is the SAR technology exhibition, featuring nearly 57 booths from various companies and institutions. The innovations on display include emergency communication technology, and air, land, sea, and underwater rescue equipment.
A number of companies such as PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), Bell Helicopter, and various international SAR technology providers also introduced the latest solutions to support rescue operations. Syafii said the agency deliberately provided space for industry partners to showcase innovations that could be utilised in future SAR operations.
“We want to obtain information on the latest technologies to support air, land, and underwater SAR operations, so that when an emergency occurs, all capabilities can complement and synergise with one another,” he explained.
Unlike the forums and competitions, which are limited to registered participants, the IISAR 2026 exhibition area is open to the general public. Visitors can view various rescue technologies, operational vehicles, and modern SAR equipment every day from 11:00 to 19:00 Western Indonesia Time.
Basarnas recorded around 1,500 visitors who registered online on the first day of the event.
IISAR 2026 founder Candra Tri Saktiyanto said the staging of IISAR is expected to broaden public understanding that the SAR industry plays a major role in everyday life.
“Search and rescue is extremely important in the context of emergencies wherever we are. Although this is a niche market, the SAR industry has great potential for development because it relates directly to safety at home, in buildings, and in various community activities,” he said.
He expressed hope that IISAR 2026 would give rise to strategic collaborations, accelerate technology transfer, enhance human resource capacity, and strengthen global synergy in facing various emergency situations.
“National borders only separate countries, but humanitarian values always unite our goals. May IISAR become an important milestone in strengthening global collaboration in the field of search and rescue,” Candra concluded.