OPINION-COLUMN | ACADEMIA: Weaving resilience into the fabric of the ASEAN Community
Workers and soldiers complete a Bailey bridge in Beutong Ateuh Banggalang district, Nagan Raya regency, Aceh on Jan 5, 2026 that would connect Central Aceh regency and Nagan Raya regency. (Antara/Syifa Yulinnas)
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In 2026, Indonesia is in the position to recalibrate the region’s preparedness and response toward disasters and strengthen the region’s blueprint for a resilient future.
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THE EDITOR
F oreign Minister Sugiono has outlined a foreign policy blueprint centered on the security and prosperity of the people within a shifting global order.
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Central to this vision is dynamic resilience: the ability to weather crises and adapt without losing momentum.
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Minister Sugiono also emphasized that such resilience cannot be achieved in isolation.
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To ground it closer to home, the recent devastating floods across northern Sumatra remind us that dynamic resilience is also a domestic necessity.
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A necessity that is also reflected in President Prabowo Subianto Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo, 72, is a retired Army lieutenant general, a businessman and the incumbent Defense Minister (2019-present).
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Due to his proximity to power throughout his military career, he entered politics in 2004 to pursue his dream of becoming the nation’s president.
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’s Asta Cita (eight goals) especially on the vision of aligning a harmonious life with the natural and cultural environment.
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As the current chair of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM), Indonesia is in the right position to recalibrate the region’s preparedness and response toward disasters and strengthen the region’s blueprint for a resilient future.
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Particular attention should be given to addressing the gradual threats of slow-onset disasters.
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Slow-onset disasters, such as floods, droughts, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss and forest degradation, pose a serious long-term threat on many fronts.
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But they are often overlooked and the region tends to focus more on rapid-onset disasters such as tsunamis and typhoons.
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ASEAN has developed several instruments and frameworks to address slow-onset disasters.
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Yet, effective response and preparedness strategy remain challenging. January 31, 2026
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One is the difficulty in identifying triggers for action.
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Yuliana Bahar
The Jakarta Post- PREMIUM
Jakarta
Sat, January 31, 2026
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TRIVIA:
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the ability to mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally adapt to, cope with, and “bounce back” from stress, trauma, or adversity. It is not a fixed trait, but rather a set of skills and behaviors—such as optimism, problem-solving, and strong social support—that can be developed and strengthened by anyone over time.
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- Psychological Adaptation: The capacity to maintain well-being and function despite experiencing difficult life experiences.
