REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Infrastructure and buildings in Indonesia should be quake-resistant, as the country is prone to earthquakes, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated.

Resilient infrastructure was one of the several aspects included in the Sustainable Development Goals, the minister noted in his opening remarks during the FIDIC 2017 International Infrastructure Conference being held on Oct 1-3, here, Monday.

"We live in a disaster-prone region. We are now experiencing the effects of climate change. Hence, we have to prepare infrastructure that is resilient to such disaster conditions," he emphasized.

Some 600 attendees comprising decision makers, professionals, experts, and academicians from 70 countries participated in the conference that was officially opened by Minister Hadimuljono and Minister for National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro.

The 2017 FIDIC Conference will offer a platform to evaluate and gain a broader understanding of what constitutes resilient infrastructure.

In the wake of an increase in natural disasters, infrastructure programs are being implemented in some countries but without a proper understanding of resilience, Jae-Wan Lee, the FIDIC president, said in his remarks.

To ensure that design and construction standards are robust, the ability to adapt is critical, ranging from the planning, design, and implementation, to the maintenance phase.

Infrastructure investment decisions have long-term consequences. Hence, decisions on infrastructure should take into account the long-term impact on environment.

The conference was organized by FIDIC, ASPAC, or the FIDIC member associations in the Asia-Pacific Region, and the National Association of Indonesian Engineering Consultants (INKINDO).

Resilient infrastructure, the theme of this year's conference, is currently an important topic, as we are witnessing the devastating effects of natural disasters, especially in Indonesia, which is located in the "ring of fire," and the effects of climate change on infrastructure.

"Governments around the world are coping by focusing on building disaster-resilient infrastructure, and we, the consulting engineering industry, are responding to (this challenge)," Nugroho Pudji Rahardio, the INKINDO president, said.

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