Bio Farma Highlights Vaccine Manufacturing as Strategic Infrastructure for Global Health Security

Bandung, September 25, 2026 — Regional vaccine manufacturing capacity should be recognized as strategic infrastructure for strengthening health security. Strengthening local manufacturing is important not only to ensure a sustainable vaccine supply, but also to build more resilient health systems, strengthen industrial capacity, and support regional integration and economic development across the Global South.

This message was delivered by President Director of PT Bio Farma (Persero), Shadiq Akasya, during a side event titled “Promoting Regional Integration through South-South and Triangular Cooperation”, held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York on September 22, 2026. This year’s UNGA carries the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

“When we talk about regional integration, we usually think of roads, ports, and power grids. But the pandemic showed us something else. The ability to manufacture vaccines within a region is also critical infrastructure. During a crisis, when supplies are disrupted at borders, domestic manufacturing capacity becomes crucial,” said Shadiq.

The forum, jointly organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), brought together policymakers, development institutions, international and regional organizations, and the private sector to discuss strengthening regional integration through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTrC). The cooperation aims to connect development needs with knowledge, technology, expertise, financing, and implementation capacity available across the Global South.

At the forum, Bio Farma shared its industry perspective on Reverse Linkage, an IsDB cooperation mechanism that connects knowledge, technology, expertise, institutional capacity, and resources among countries in the Global South.

According to Bio Farma, developing vaccine manufacturing capacity requires more than building facilities and transferring technology. Long-term sustainability requires an ecosystem that includes human resources, health systems, regulatory frameworks, procurement, manufacturing, and financing. To support this approach, Bio Farma promotes the 4S + 1F framework: Stronger Health Systems, Stronger Regulators, Stronger Procurement, Stronger Manufacturing, and Financing.

“Without sustainable demand, new production facilities will not be able to operate over the long term. Manufacturing development therefore needs to go hand in hand with stronger health systems, regulators, procurement, and financing,” said Shadiq. This approach places sustainable demand as an important factor in ensuring that established production capacity can continue to operate and grow.

Bio Farma also emphasized the importance of developing the vaccine value chain progressively, from packaging, filling, and formulation to active ingredient production and mastery of vaccine seeds or starting materials. Countries can begin at stages that match their readiness and capabilities before advancing toward more complex and self-reliant production. This approach is expected to strengthen regional value chains while increasing the participation of developing countries in the global health value chain.

One example is Bio Farma’s collaboration with Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), Senegal, through the Reverse Linkage mechanism. The partnership originated from a need identified by IPD. In December 2019, IPD visited Bio Farma’s production facilities in Bandung to learn from the company’s relevant experience and capabilities in developing manufacturing capacity.

“Our collaboration did not begin with Bio Farma offering something. It began when Institut Pasteur de Dakar came to Bandung, visited our production facilities, and shared what they needed to learn. When the partner itself identifies the need, it also creates a stronger sense of ownership of the outcome,” Shadiq explained.

The partnership subsequently expanded through a cooperation agreement signed in Bali in September 2024. In February 2026, a Bio Farma team visited Dakar and worked with the IPD team to share experience in operating facilities in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), quality control, product approval processes, and human resource development.

Building on this experience, Bio Farma is advocating for the Reverse Linkage approach to evolve from bilateral cooperation into a multinational program through Reverse Linkage 2.0. The 4S + 1F framework can serve as a basis for helping countries develop healthcare manufacturing ecosystems supported not only by production capacity, but also by strong health systems and regulatory frameworks, sustainable procurement mechanisms, and access to financing.

“Senegal is only the beginning. We have shared polio technology with India. We are also working with Ghana and partners in the Middle East. In addition, we are exploring opportunities for cooperation with ASEAN, OIC member countries, and Latin America,” said Shadiq.

Bio Farma has also expressed its readiness to serve as a training hub for partner countries and to offer its capabilities through the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation. This initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen synergies between IsDB’s Reverse Linkage 2.0 and the Global Alliance, facilitated by UNOSSC, by aligning development needs with solutions, expertise, technology, partnerships, and resources across the Global South.

As part of the Danantara ecosystem, these efforts to strengthen manufacturing capacity and global health collaboration also reflect Bio Farma’s commitment to creating sustainable value. Vaccine manufacturing capabilities and stronger supply resilience contribute to improving access to healthcare and protecting public health. Technology ownership, enhanced manufacturing capabilities, and the development of health value chains strengthen Bio Farma’s role as a strategic national industry while supporting Indonesia’s competitiveness in the regional and global health ecosystem.

Capacity building extends beyond production facilities. It also involves strengthening human resources, institutional capabilities, regulatory capacity, and industrial ecosystems to create long-term value and sustainable health security across generations.

For Bio Farma, the experience of Reverse Linkage demonstrates that international collaboration can deliver more sustainable impact when it starts with a partner’s real needs, involves institutions with practical implementation experience, establishes clear roles, and ensures that cooperation continues to develop beyond the project period.

“Trust is not built through statements alone. Trust is built through one batch, one training session, and one partnership at a time. Bio Farma is ready to continue building that trust together with IsDB, UNOSSC, and all our partners,” concluded Shadiq.

--00--

Media Contact:
Corporate Communications
PT Bio Farma (Persero)
Corcom@biofarma.co.id