Governor Pramono Affirms Jakarta as a Home for Diversity

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Delegates from across Southeast Asia attended the Harmony in Diversity Award 2026 Welcoming Dinner in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung welcomed their attendance.

He said it was a great honor for Jakarta to become the first city to host the awards since they were launched in Singapore last year. "We see this event as a collective commitment to strengthening peace and friendship across Southeast Asia," the Governor said.

He noted that today's geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Rising polarization and social tensions serve as a reminder that social cohesion is not something that comes easily.

According to him, social cohesion must be nurtured through trust, mutual respect, and continuous dialogue. Based on the Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar, ASEAN's Social Cohesion Index stands at 72.4 percent. Nevertheless, Pramono underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to further strengthen sustainable social cohesion across ASEAN.

"That is why this award is so meaningful," he said, as quoted by beritajakarta.id. From more than 70 nominations across Southeast Asia, many inspiring individuals have demonstrated outstanding dedication to fostering trust, strengthening communities, and bringing hope amid diversity.

Governor Pramono highlighted Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, one of the recipients of the Harmony in Diversity Award, as an inspiring figure who has long promoted peace in Mindanao.

He added that the values of harmony and diversity are also integral to Jakarta's identity. The city is home to people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Pramono also cited Jakarta's wide range of cultural and religious celebrations as examples of its commitment to diversity, including the Christmas Carol Colossal, Chinese New Year (Imlek) festivities, the Ogoh-ogoh Parade, the Jakarta Bedug Colossal, and Vesak celebrations. The Governor expressed his confidence that diversity is one of Jakarta's greatest strengths.