Jakarta Becomes The First City In Southeast Asia To Join The World Cities Culture Forum

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government announced that Jakarta will be the first city in Southeast Asia to join the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF). WCCF is a leading global network consisting of leaders from more than 40 cities.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Tourism and Creative Economy Office, Andhika Permata, revealed that Jakarta's joining the WCCF could be a means to promote the attractiveness of tourism and creative industries based on art, culture, and development of information technology to the international level.

"To make this happen, of course, the City of Jakarta needs support from various parties. The joining of Jakarta to WCCF is one of the efforts to answer increasingly complex urban challenges, as well as improve the quality of life of the community through the tourism and cultural sectors," Andhika said in his statement, Monday, June 24.

To support this, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing a Regional Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) 2025-2045 with a vision to become a global competitive city, especially ahead of the change in status of Jakarta, which no longer holds the title as a Special Capital Region.

"Through this membership, it is hoped that Jakarta can increase its index as a global city, especially in the tourism and cultural sectors," said Andhika.

Meanwhile, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Culture Office, Iwan Henry Wardhana, said that Jakarta had the opportunity to collaborate through exchanging ideas and innovations with 40 other member cities.

These cities include Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, London, New York and Tokyo. The collaboration is in the form of placing culture in the heart of the city of growth and investment.

"By joining Jakarta in this leading global network, it is hoped that Jakarta can develop a city strategy based on cultural tourism and will ultimately be able to strengthen Jakarta's position as a leading cultural tourist destination that is ready to welcome tourists from around the world, thus increasing the attractiveness and reputation of the city of Jakarta as a global city," explained Iwan.

The World Cities Culture Forum was founded in 2012 with the belief that global cities can achieve more success by working together and sharing ideas or experiences.

The World Cities Culture Forum was founded and led by Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and Creative Industry. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, plays the role of the Protection Council (patron).