RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - The Ministry of Culture has officially designated Makassar, South Sulawesi, as the host city for the 2026 Indonesia Music Conference (KMI), signaling a strategic shift to center the nation's creative growth in Eastern Indonesia. This appointment highlights Makassar’s rising prominence as a national cultural powerhouse capable of hosting high-stakes industry forums.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, confirmed the decision during his visit to the city on Thursday, April 16, 2026. He noted that the choice was a direct result of evaluating the previous year's success and recognizing the local administration’s unwavering dedication to the creative economy.

"We are here in Makassar because, following the success of the 2025 Indonesia Music Conference, KMI 2026 is planned to be held right here in this city," he said, as quoted by Antara.

The selection underscores the impressive track record of the Makassar City administration under the leadership of Munafri Arifuddin and Aliyah Mustika Ilham. The Deputy Minister praised their consistency in fostering events that generate significant economic ripples.

After engaging with local event communities, Giring observed that the city’s policies are uniquely tailored to support large-scale creative productions. "This is vital because events have a significant economic impact on the region. We see a strong commitment from the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and their entire ranks in driving cultural advancement, particularly in the event and music sectors," added Giring.

Far from being a mere ceremonial gathering, KMI 2026 is designed as a critical forum to formulate national policy and strengthen the domestic music sector. The conference will prioritize the development of the music ecosystem, the protection of copyrights, and the fortification of the cultural economy as a pillar of the national creative industry.

With its robust infrastructure and expanding creative networks, Makassar is deemed fully prepared to facilitate these high-level strategic discussions.

The event, scheduled to run from October 27 to 30, 2026, will be integrated with the renowned "Rock in Celebes" music festival. This synergy is expected to create a massive momentum for collaboration, bridging local talent with global standards.

The conference aims to invigorate the local music industry while cementing Indonesia's status on the global cultural economy map.

Giring emphasized that the conference will draw the full spectrum of the national music ecosystem, including record labels, publishers, and digital streaming platforms. The event will also feature artist management, event organizers, promoters, and international booking agents.

"The entire music ecosystem will be present, both from Jakarta and abroad. This presents a major opportunity for Makassar to showcase its potential as a hub for music industry growth in Eastern Indonesia," concluded Giring. ***