Bangkok, March 13, 2026 — Two academics from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Dr. Budi Haryanto, S.K.M., M.Kes., M.Sc., FCR., and Dr. Fitri Kurniasari, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., demonstrated active contributions at the international forum The 12th Better Air Quality Conference (BAQ 2026), held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 11–13, 2026.
BAQ 2026 is a strategic Asia-Pacific forum that brings together academics, researchers, policymakers, and international organizations to discuss air quality issues and their impacts on public health. The conference was organized by Clean Air Asia in collaboration with several global organizations, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
At the forum, Prof. Budi Haryanto served as a speaker in a session titled “Air Pollution and Health in Indonesia: Reflections, Actions, and Policy Directions” on March 13, 2026. He presented research findings on the health impacts of air pollution in Jakarta through a presentation entitled “Findings from Air Pollution & Health Impact Research in Jakarta.” His presentation highlighted the importance of evidence-based approaches in understanding health risks caused by air pollution exposure, particularly fine particulate matter PM2.5, as well as the urgency of strengthening air pollution control policies in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fitri Kurniasari contributed as a moderator for the discussion session. She facilitated the exchange of ideas among panelists discussing various topics, ranging from air quality trends in Jakarta and major pollution sources to prevention and control efforts addressing the health impacts of air pollution.
The involvement of FPH UI lecturers in BAQ 2026 reaffirmed the active role of Indonesian academics in global forums, particularly in bringing public health perspectives into air quality discussions. This contribution also represents an important effort to strengthen research-based policymaking and cross-sector collaboration in addressing air pollution challenges.
As part of the conference series, on March 10, 2026, both academics also participated in a study visit to Mahidol University and Thailand’s Ministry of Health, particularly the Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases. The visit served as a benchmarking opportunity to understand Thailand’s practices and policies in air quality management while enriching perspectives for the development of air pollution control strategies in Indonesia. In addition to Prof. Budi Haryanto and Dr. Fitri Kurniasari, the visit was also attended by representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, namely Dr. Then Suyanti (Director of Environmental Health) and Nia Kurniawati, M.P.H. (Head of the Air Quality Health Working Group), as well as environmental health academic Damai Arum Pratiwi, M.P.H. from Universitas Airlangga.
This participation is expected to further strengthen FPH UI’s contribution to the advancement of environmental health science and policy at the global level, while also supporting sustainable efforts to protect public health from the impacts of air pollution. (wrk)