- As part of its commitment to expanding public access to knowledge and development discourse, Pelakita.ID and MaritimePosts.com have been officially invited to attend and cover selected sessions of the PAIR Annual Meeting 2026.
- The participation of both media platforms under the Pelakita Group highlights the important role of journalism in connecting scientific research, public policy, and community understanding.
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – MAKASSAR, INDONESIA — Makassar is once again reaffirming its position as a center of knowledge, innovation, and development collaboration in Eastern Indonesia.
From 21–23 July 2026, the city will host the PAIR Annual Meeting 2026, the flagship annual forum of the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR) program.
The event will bring together academics, policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, and international partners to discuss the future of coastal communities across Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia.
Held at the UNHAS Hotel & Convention, Hasanuddin University, this year’s meeting carries the theme “Coastal Communities Sulawesi: Science, Policy and Action”—reflecting the urgent need to bridge scientific research, public policy, and practical solutions on the ground.
As coastal regions face mounting pressures from climate change, marine resource degradation, food security challenges, and socio-economic vulnerabilities among fishing communities, the forum provides an important platform for aligning scientific knowledge with increasingly complex development needs.
Why PAIR Matters
PAIR, or the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research, is a collaborative initiative between Indonesia and Australia focused on strengthening applied research to support evidence-based development.
More than an academic platform, PAIR seeks to ensure that research findings do not remain confined to conferences or scholarly journals but are translated into policies and programs that generate tangible benefits for communities.
The partnership also reflects the growing cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in education, research, regional development, economic transformation, and natural resource governance.
In the context of Eastern Indonesia, such collaboration is particularly significant. Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua possess immense marine and coastal resources, yet continue to face persistent challenges related to coastal poverty, limited access to essential services, environmental pressures, and the impacts of climate change.
Makassar’s Strategic Role in Eastern Indonesia
The selection of Makassar as the venue for the PAIR Annual Meeting is no coincidence.
As the largest educational, commercial, service, and logistics hub in Eastern Indonesia, Makassar serves as a strategic gateway connecting Sulawesi, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
The city is also home to Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), widely recognized as one of Indonesia’s leading institutions in maritime and coastal research.
With this combination of geographic importance and academic excellence, Makassar is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between scientific knowledge, policymaking, and development practice across coastal regions.
Discussing the Future of Coastal Communities
This year’s theme underscores the central role of coastal communities, which have long served as the backbone of Indonesia’s maritime economy.
These communities face numerous challenges, including environmental degradation, climate change impacts, competition over marine space, and economic transformations affecting traditional fishing livelihoods and small-island populations.
Through the framework of Science, Policy and Action, the forum seeks to address a critical question:
How can scientific research be transformed into effective policies and practical actions that improve people’s lives?
National and International Leaders to Participate
PAIR Annual Meeting 2026 will feature a series of high-level activities, including the Official Opening Ceremony, Expert Talk Shows, and the Science to Policy Forum, designed to facilitate dialogue between researchers and decision-makers.
One of the most anticipated highlights is the keynote address by Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Brian Yuliarto, who will discuss the role of science, research, and innovation in supporting national development.
The forum will also bring together stakeholders from Indonesia and Australia to share the latest research findings and discuss strategies for strengthening coastal resilience and empowering local communities.
From Research to Policy
As investment and development activities continue to accelerate across Eastern Indonesia, the demand for evidence-based policymaking has become increasingly urgent.
Many development challenges arise not because of a lack of programs, but because of weak connections between knowledge, policy, and implementation.
PAIR Annual Meeting 2026 aims to bridge this gap.
By facilitating dialogue among academics, government agencies, private-sector actors, and civil society organizations, the forum seeks to generate recommendations that are not only academically robust but also practical and responsive to community needs.
A Momentum for Regional Collaboration
More than just an annual gathering, the PAIR Annual Meeting represents the importance of international collaboration in addressing the development challenges of the twenty-first century.
For Makassar and Eastern Indonesia, the event offers an opportunity to strengthen the region’s position as a center for innovation, research, and knowledge-driven development.
In a rapidly changing world, the future of coastal communities will depend not only on the abundance of natural resources but also on the ability of diverse stakeholders to work together, connect science with policy, and transform knowledge into meaningful action.
Over three days in Makassar, these conversations will unfold.
And from those discussions may emerge new ideas, partnerships, and solutions that help shape the future of coastal development in Sulawesi and across Eastern Indonesia.
Pelakita.ID Participation
As part of its commitment to expanding public access to knowledge and development discourse, Pelakita.ID and MaritimePosts.com have been officially invited to attend and cover selected sessions of the PAIR Annual Meeting 2026.
The participation of both media platforms under the Pelakita Group highlights the important role of journalism in connecting scientific research, public policy, and community understanding.
Through in-depth reporting from panel discussions, scientific forums, and policy dialogues, the public will gain broader insight into the challenges and opportunities facing coastal communities in Sulawesi and the wider Eastern Indonesian region.
For Pelakita.ID and MaritimePosts.com, the event represents not only a reporting opportunity but also a contribution to ensuring that knowledge generated through research reaches the communities whose futures are most directly affected by it.
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Editorial Team
