Indonesia and several Pacific Island nations have reached a significant agreement to enhance cultural cooperation and bolster climate resilience. This initiative was formalized at the Indonesia–Pacific Cultural Synergy 2025 (IPACS) meeting held in Kupang.
The participating ministers issued a joint statement titled “A Shared Cultural Vision for Sustainable and Resilient Pacific,” emphasizing the vital role that cultural heritage—including traditional knowledge, languages, and creative industries—plays in sustainable development and the regional identity of Pacific nations. This framework aligns with global and regional commitments such as the UN 2030 Agenda, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and the Bali Cultural Initiative Declaration.
The collaborative framework is structured around three main pillars. The socio-cultural pillar emphasizes the importance of empowering women and youth in preserving cultural heritage while promoting cultural exchanges and leveraging technology for digital archiving. It also addresses the issue of illicit trade in cultural artifacts.
The cultural economic pillar aims to stimulate growth in cultural and creative industries, eco-tourism, and digital entrepreneurship, while enhancing public-private partnerships. It highlights the need for investment in skills training and market accessibility, particularly for women, youth, and local communities.
The cultural and environmental sustainability pillar advocates for integrating traditional knowledge into climate adaptation strategies, supporting sustainable agriculture, and safeguarding cultural sites that face threats from climate change. Delegates asserted that cultural heritage should be part of broader climate resilience planning initiatives.
During the closing ceremony, Indonesia’s Minister for Culture, Dr. Fadli Zon, expressed gratitude towards the Pacific partners, referring to the gathering as “a remarkable event of vision, dialogue, and shared commitment.” He emphasized the transformation of IPACS 2025 from a forum into a lively celebration of shared cultures, further highlighting Indonesia’s cultural diversity, which aligns closely with Pacific values and traditions.
Zon reiterated Indonesia’s dedication to promoting culture as an essential element of diplomacy, resilience, and development. He reflected on the outcomes of the three-day event, underlining that cultural diversity is a source of strength and that the discussions reaffirmed the significance of heritage as a guiding force toward peace and sustainability.
The meeting resulted in the endorsement of an Indo-Pacific Cultural Network and enhanced collaboration on data sharing, archiving, and efforts for the potential repatriation or co-management of cultural materials. Indonesia also pledged to support Pacific-led cultural initiatives, cultural residencies, and collaborative UNESCO heritage nominations.
In closing, delegates reaffirmed the importance of culture as a cornerstone for resilience, identity, and mutual prosperity across the region, inspiring hope for a more united and culturally rich future.
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