RRI.CO.ID, Paris - Indonesia and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy through a bilateral meeting between their culture ministers in Paris on April 23, 2026. The meeting marks a strategic step in advancing long-term cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, met with France’s Culture Minister Catherine Pégard as part of an official visit. The talks followed up on the Borobudur Declaration initiated by President Prabowo Subianto and President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen bilateral cultural strategy.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted significant progress in cooperation across cultural heritage, museums, cultural industries, and digital transformation. They also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration through concrete and sustainable programs.

“Cultural cooperation between Indonesia and France must continue to grow in a concrete, reciprocal, and long-term manner,” Fadli Zon said. He affirmed that such collaboration should deliver tangible benefits for cultural actors and strengthen global cultural diplomacy.

As part of the visit, both countries witnessed the signing of two institutional agreements. These include partnerships between École du Louvre and the Indonesia Heritage Agency, as well as between the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and InJourney.

The cooperation also covers the development of key heritage sites such as Borobudur and Prambanan, along with strengthening museum capacity and cultural research. Joint initiatives will also address heritage preservation challenges, including those related to climate change.

In the cultural industry sector, collaboration is expanding into film, music, visual arts, and literature. This includes continued engagement in international platforms such as the Cannes Film Festival and animation and co-production forums.

Both countries also agreed to enhance literary programs and digital cultural transformation, including data governance and digitalization of cultural assets. The partnership is expected to further position culture as a strategic tool in global diplomacy.