Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Build up Cultural Diplomacy Through State Banquet

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, attended a state banquet in Jakarta to honor the visit of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud. The event marked a key moment in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in cultural cooperation.

The banquet was held at the residence of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. It served as a platform to deepen diplomatic relations through cultural engagement between the two nations.

During the visit, both ministers discussed priority agendas to enhance cooperation in cultural sectors. These include intangible cultural heritage collaboration at UNESCO, museum partnerships, and creative economy development.

The creative sectors highlighted include film, literature, music, fashion, and artist residency programs. Both sides expressed openness to expanding collaboration across various cultural initiatives.

The Indonesian government hopes the engagement will not only strengthen relations at the governmental level but also encourage broader people-to-people connections. Culture is seen as a foundation for sustainable friendship between the two countries.

Earlier, both ministers held bilateral talks and visited key cultural institutions in Jakarta. These included the National Museum of Indonesia and the National Gallery of Indonesia.

“Cultural diplomacy is a strategic instrument in strengthening relations between nations,” Fadli Zon said. He added that culture serves as a form of soft power to foster mutual understanding and dialogue.

As a follow-up, both countries plan to develop a sustainable joint work program, including the renewal of a cultural memorandum of understanding in 2027. The meeting concluded with an exchange of souvenirs as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect.