REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- The Indonesian and French governments are establishing a partnership in the field of culture. Such cooperation includes efforts for the preservation of cultural heritage, the strengthening of human resources, to the promotion of cultural products.
Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon and French Culture Minister Rachida Dati signed a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation between Indonesia and France at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Wednesday (28/5/2025). The signing was witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to a press release by the Ministry of Culture of Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday (29/5/2025), the signing of this cooperation agreement is a follow-up to the Indonesia-France Joint Declaration on the Strategy in the Field of Culture agreed by President Prabowo and President Macron. “This MoU is an operational framework to realize the cultural vision that has been agreed upon by the two Presidents,” Fadli said.
He said that Indonesia and France through this partnership are committed to building a common space for innovation, creation and solidarity by focusing on the preservation of reserves and cultural heritage. The cooperation agreement between the two countries also includes museum development efforts, digitization of archives, strengthening of human resources capacity, as well as promotion of cultural products such as films, music, wastra, culinary, performances, and games.
In addition, the two countries affirmed a joint commitment to prevent the illegal movement of cultural objects and historical objects, to carry out tracking of the origin of collections, and to carry out ethics-based repatriation. The Indonesian and French governments encouraged the establishment of inter-agency cooperation mechanisms such as the exchange of curators and conservators, artist residencies, joint festival organization, and strengthening the network of cultural institutions.
Initiatives to be run within the framework of cooperation between the two countries include Indonesia-France Film Lab, Borobudur Cultural Center, PINTU Foundation, and participation in the Cité internationale des arts in Paris. “We want to strengthen the cultural dialogue between the two peoples, especially involving the younger generation and the perpetrators of contemporary culture,” Fadli said.
“France and Indonesia have vibrant and complementary cultural ecosystems. It is time for us to step together to form a more inclusive, open and collaborative global cultural landscape,” he said.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia will facilitate efforts to strengthen cooperation between the communities of cultural, educational, and creative industries of the two countries. “We open up the widest space for synergies between the country and the cultural community. Through an inclusive approach, we hope to create cultural and economic added value for both nations,” Fadli said.
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