Media Release
30 September 2025
Australian Ambassador Rod Brazier joined Indonesia’s Head of Indonesia’s Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) Letjen TNI Dr Suharyanto, West Sumatera Governor H. Mahyeldi Ansharulla, Vice Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof Fauzan, and Vice Minister for Public Works, Diana Kusumastuti, to open the Third International Conference on Disaster Mitigation and Management (ICDMM) on 29 September in Padang.
Co-hosted by Universitas Andalas, the Indonesian Disaster Expert Association (IABI), and BNPB, the conference commemorated the 2009 West Sumatra earthquake and brought together experts to advance collaboration on disaster mitigation and resilience.
“West Sumatera stands at the frontline of disaster risk management, and this conference is a timely opportunity to share knowledge about disaster risk reduction strategies. Australia is committed to deepening collaboration with Indonesia on disaster resilience, inclusive development and community empowerment through the Indonesia-Australia disaster risk reduction partnership,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Roderick Brazier.
While in Padang, Ambassador Brazier met with researchers from the Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform (KONEKSI) to discuss climate resilience and social inclusion projects focusing on coastal communities in West Sumatera, visited the #AussieBanget Corner at Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) and met with the Rector of UNP, Dr. Ir. Krismadinata.
As part of this visit, Ambassador Brazier also met with members of a local women’s farming community initiative supported by the Australia-Indonesia Partnership towards an Inclusive Society (INKLUSI) in Padang Pariaman.
Ambassador Brazier also engaged with Australian alumni in Padang and Bukittinggi and learnt about the vibrant cultural heritage of West Sumatra through visits to Jam Gadang, the Bung Hatta Birthplace Museum, and a traditional Kopi Talua tasting experience.
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Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kedubesaustralia/albums/72177720329354262