DFAT Australia Hails Aceh as Model for Integrated Data Governance

RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has recognized the Aceh Provincial Administration as a national pioneer in data governance, noting that its Satu Data Aceh (Aceh One Data) framework serves as a model for other regional administrations across Indonesia.

Speaking at the 2026 Aceh One Data Forum Coordination Meeting in Banda Aceh on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, DFAT Unit Manager for Decentralisation and Governance Astrid Kartika highlighted how provincial administration such as Gorontalo, Maluku, and East Nusa Tenggara have benchmarked their data integration frameworks against Aceh’s innovations under the DFAT-backed SKALA (Synergy and Collaboration for Basic Services Acceleration) program.

While praising Aceh’s progress, Kartika emphasized that the critical next phase involves fully connecting provincial databases with systems across all 23 regencies and cities in Aceh to build a unified foundation for evidence-based development planning. Drawing a comparison to Australia's century-long journey toward an integrated data architecture, she noted that modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can enable Indonesian regions to achieve complete administrative data integration within months.

International development representatives affirmed that establishing transparent and accountable data infrastructure is essential for formulating effective public policies that deliver direct community benefits.

Astrid Kartika commended Aceh's proactive approach to digital transformation and knowledge sharing. "There is quite a lot to learn from Aceh, and Aceh is always at the forefront when implementing innovations that are subsequently emulated by the Central Government or other Provincial Administration, so if we look at it from a Muslim perspective, it serves as a continuous charity. We share knowledge, which is then replicated and adopted by other provincial administrations," she said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

She reiterated Aceh's leading position within the SKALA development network while urging local stakeholders to accelerate inter-regional integration.

"I can assure you once again that Aceh is one step ahead compared to other SKALA work areas, at least as far as I know, in Australia, disputes or disagreements regarding data are almost minimal because all systems are fully integrated. However, reaching our current stage took us more than 100 years to build," Kartika noted.

She emphasized that modern artificial intelligence tools should expedite the unification process across Aceh's regencies and cities.

"We do not need 100 years in Indonesia because technology today is increasingly advanced. While we were previously confused about systems, we now have many technologies, including AI, that will help simplify the process, we truly hope that through today's forum you can initiate steps that hopefully will not take 100 years. It is expected that six months will be enough to unify all systems in Aceh Province, both the provincial government system and all 23 regencies and cities," Kartika expressed.

She concluded by underscoring the ultimate objective of data governance. "We are ready to assist you in building a system that can be genuinely trusted, maintains clear accountability, and above all, delivers tangible benefits to the public. Because data is utilized to provide the very best for the people," Kartika added. ***