Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Amarulla Octavian has urged regional governments to place research and innovation at the center of disaster mitigation policies to support sustainable development.”Strengthening disaster risk mitigation policies grounded in research and innovation is a strategic necessity for sustainable regional development,” he said in a statement on Sunday.Octavian said evidence-based policymaking is crucial to ensure disaster responses are rapid, accurate and sustainable.Amid ongoing recovery efforts in parts of Sumatra, he noted that BRIN has established a task force to support mitigation measures, underscoring the government’s push for a science-driven approach to disaster management.He called on regional administrations to integrate disaster risk reduction into key planning documents, including regional medium-term development plans, annual government work plans and contingency frameworks.”This approach ensures disaster mitigation becomes an integral part of regional development strategies, not merely a reactive measure,” he said.Citing West Sumatra as an example, Octavian said the province has implemented strong mitigation policies despite high exposure to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and landslides.He commended the provincial government and its disaster management agency for aligning policies and strengthening cross-sector collaboration.Looking ahead, Octavian said BRIN will intensify efforts to bolster national resilience by advancing research-based mitigation, developing dynamic risk maps, expanding disaster risk education and strengthening cooperation with central and regional institutions.He added that the agency will mobilize its regional offices to promote research and innovation nationwide.”Disaster mitigation cannot rely solely on experience. It must be backed by scientific evidence, reliable data and applicable technological innovation,” he said.