RRI.CO.ID, Makassar – Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Makassar City Government, hosted the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series (IGS): Diplomatic Tour Goes to Makassar 2026, bringing together 40 diplomats from 27 countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy, economic cooperation, and regional promotion. The event, held from June 23 to 25, 2026, was attended by ambassadors, heads of missions, consuls general, and senior diplomats responsible for culture, economy, trade, and investment.

Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heru H. Subolo, said the IGS is part of Indonesia's soft power diplomacy aimed at enhancing the country's global image while creating new opportunities for international cooperation. Under the theme "Bringing Flavours, Cultures and Business Opportunities," participants were introduced to the rich history and culinary heritage of South Sulawesi, a region renowned as a major spice trading hub since the 16th century.

The program featured live cooking demonstrations showcasing the traditional cuisines of South Sulawesi's four largest ethnic groups, a grand performance of I La Galigo, a business and investment forum, an export-oriented exhibition of local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and one-on-one business matching sessions between diplomats and local entrepreneurs.

Participants also met with Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin, attended a Nusantara traditional textile fashion show, and visited several of the city's leading tourist destinations. Munafri said gastronomy plays a vital role in bringing people together and creating broader opportunities for international cooperation.

"Gastronomy has a unique power to bring people together, allowing us to share stories, traditions, and values beyond borders and languages," he said. Echoing that view, Heru described gastronomy as a powerful soft diplomacy tool capable of fostering mutual understanding, trust, and long-term collaboration among nations.

According to data from Makassar City's Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP), representatives from 16 countries—including Fiji, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Peru, and Tunisia—expressed interest in pursuing further cooperation with the city.

Potential areas of collaboration include establishing sister-city partnerships, academic cooperation with Hasanuddin University, industrial estate development, and exports of local products such as coffee, palm sugar, fisheries products, spices, textiles, batik, and honey.

The event also received positive feedback from participants. Finnish Ambassador to Indonesia Pekka Kaihilahti praised Makassar's culinary offerings, particularly its seafood, while Peruvian Ambassador to Indonesia Luis Raúl Tsuboyama Galván highlighted Makassar's strategic role as the gateway to eastern Indonesia and its rich cultural diversity.

IGS Makassar 2026 marked the sixth edition of the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series, following successful events in Jakarta, Bandung, Labuan Bajo, and Lombok, as part of Indonesia's ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural and economic diplomacy through gastronomy.