Population, industrial, and agriculture growth in Indonesia combined with limited water resources have resulted in initiation of an active desalination program at the Badan Tenaga Atom Nasional (BATAN) of Indonesia. Water shortages are experienced in several regions of Indonesia and have resulted in limitations on industrial activities and affected the welfare of the communities in these regions. In addition, underground water in several areas, which had been considered as an unlimited source of fresh water, was affected by overuse, as a result, the intrusion of seawater has reduced the water quality and increased its salinity. Desalination activities at BATAN started in 1999 with two training courses; the first focused on use of the DEEP economic cost evaluation program of the IAEA and the second focused on desalination fundamentals. This was followed by preparation of a long-term plan on qualifying the desalination manpower in Indonesia. The plan was put forward by El-Dessouky and Ettouney and was evaluated in the summer of 2000. The ultimate goal of the desalination program is the construction and operation of a 5000m(3)/d mechanical vapor compression unit (MVC). The BATAN desalination group will conduct the design, construction and operation of this unit. To reach this goal a desalination program that includes manpower training, experimental research, and system design will be adopted. The manpower training includes introductory and advanced levels of intensive courses on desalination. The experimental research includes a number of studies on desalination including scaling, evaporation, condensation, and use of plastic materials. The proposed desalination program also interacts with a number of local studies on industrial resources, power and water requirements and consumption patterns in Indonesia. Finally, a regional/international desalination conference will be organized in part by BATAN to shed light on desalination needs and to mobilize and raise interest among various local organizations.