RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry is drafting a comprehensive master plan to revitalize the historic Asian-African Conference Museum (MKAA) in Bandung, West Java, aiming to transform the landmark site into a modernized, digitally integrated cultural hub.

The sweeping rejuvenation strategy focuses on breathing new life into the birthplace of the 1955 Bandung Spirit and the Dasasila Bandung (Ten Principles of Bandung). By shifting toward advanced digital preservation, the government intends to make its priceless diplomatic archives more accessible to global researchers and the public alike.

“The ministry is currently in the preparation stage of developing a master plan regarding the historic area of the Asian-African Conference,” Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang announced during a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to Yvonne, the overhaul will focus heavily on the preservation, digitalization, and optimization of archival materials and historical collections. The master plan will further expand outward to upgrade the broader historical zone encompassing the key landmark locations of the landmark 1955 summit.

The spokesperson underscored that Indonesia is actively collaborating with friendly countries, particularly fellow participating nations of the original conference, to bring the grand project to fruition.

“This development plan is a concrete effort to preserve the Bandung Spirit and the values of the Asian-African Conference itself,” Yvonne added.

As part of this diplomatic push, the ministry’s Information and Public Diplomacy Director General Heru Subolo visited Japan from June 17 to 19 to secure socio-cultural partnerships for the museum's upgrade.

During the trip, Heru held strategic meetings with the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Japan Foundation (JF), National Archives of Japan (NAJ), and the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR).

Heru noted that both NAJ and JACAR warmly welcomed the collaboration, expressing deep interest in joint archiving and digitizing initiatives to advance global research, education, and public diplomacy.

MKAA Head Noviasari Rustam confirmed Japan's readiness to support the museum's capacity building, extending from human resource training to improving information accessibility for international tourists.

“MKAA will also establish cooperation with NAJ and JACAR regarding the digitalization and utilization of KAA archives for educational and public diplomacy purposes,” Noviasari stated.

She further noted that the MKAA is exploring technical partnerships with the Tokyo National Museum to share best practices regarding public programming and curatorial excellence. ***