RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening heritage preservation through closer cooperation with the Indonesian Heritage Cities Network. The pledge was made during a meeting held in Jakarta 18 February 2026, with regional leaders and representatives of the network.

Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said collaboration between central and local governments is essential to advancing cultural development rooted in heritage assets. He emphasized revitalizing museums, protected cultural sites, and the broader cultural economy ecosystem as key priorities.

According to him, the government is accelerating the designation of national cultural heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage, including new nominations to UNESCO. He added that Indonesia is also preparing submissions through extension lists and joint nomination schemes to enhance international recognition.

The ministry is supporting these efforts through funding instruments such as Dana Indonesiana and Special Allocation Funds for non-physical cultural programs. Fadli noted that museums and cultural parks represent critical infrastructure that must be revitalized through coordinated efforts among national, provincial, and municipal authorities.

Several cities were highlighted as having strong potential to develop cultural ecosystems, including Yogyakarta, Banda Aceh, Ternate, and Ambon. In Ternate, he pointed to the potential development of a museum dedicated to naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, while Ambon is preparing to commemorate the 400th anniversary of scientist Georg Eberhard Rumphius.

“Programs must not stop at events alone. We need to build a sustainable cultural ecosystem across sectors toward a future cultural economy,” Fadli said during the meeting. He stressed that cross-regional and cross-institutional partnerships would be crucial in ensuring long-term impact.

The discussions also addressed the need for technical assistance and conservation support for heritage assets across Indonesia. Officials said that stronger collaboration between the national government, local administrations, and community stakeholders is vital to safeguarding cultural resources.

At the close of the meeting, Fadli expressed hope that cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Indonesian Heritage Cities Network would become more intensive and systemic. “We want culture not only to be preserved, but also to become a source of economic strength and national identity,” he said.