Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed universities to support the B50 and B60 biodiesel initiatives and ethanol development with human resources and research as part of efforts to strengthen national energy security.Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated that the directive was delivered by the president during a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.”We were also tasked with ensuring that our human resources and research fully support the B50 and B60 programs, as well as ethanol development, as energy security is critical,” Brian said following the meeting.He noted that strengthening energy security was a key topic of discussion during the meeting, given the need to anticipate potential global volatility that could impact the energy sector.In addition to energy security, the limited cabinet meeting covered the development of Red and White Village Cooperatives, alongside several other key issues.”We discussed cooperatives extensively, as well as other matters, including how universities must be encouraged and prepared to face potential global turmoil,” Brian said.Speaking on the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said the government is taking preemptive measures against the impact of prolonged conflict in the Middle East on national energy security.These include pushing energy diversification and implementing the B50 biodiesel mandate, which took effect on July 1, 2026.”Essentially, we discussed and assessed potential developments in the global situation, including precautionary measures against a prolonged conflict in the Middle East that could affect global energy supplies and oil prices,” he said following the meeting.Beyond the energy sector, the government also hopes that the global situation will not affect development in the food sector.Minister Yudhoyono added that his ministry will support various government priorities through infrastructure development and strengthened connectivity.