Governor Pramono Invites Diaspora To Build Jakarta From New York

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo while attending the "Sinergi for Jakarta" event which took place at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in New York, Tuesday (15/7/2025). (doc the DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung continued his visit to New York by meeting with the Indonesian diaspora group who are now in the United States to share their knowledge to build Jakarta.

This was expressed in a forum attended by academics, students, and students from various regions of the United States at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in New York, Tuesday, local time.

"Jakarta cannot be built only from within. We need contributions from those abroad, including diaspora who have access to new knowledge, network and technology," Pramono said, quoted on Wednesday, July 16.

Pramono also responded directly to a presentation from Indonesian students who were involved in the sister city agenda assistance team between Jakarta and New York. He appreciated the enthusiasm and intellectual contribution of the younger generation to the diaspora in building city diplomacy and preparing Jakarta as a more collaborative and sustainable global city.

"This collaboration is very important to ensure that Jakarta becomes a modern, inclusive, and resilient city with future challenges," he said.

One of the aspirations that emerged was the request of the leaders of the Indonesian Muslim community who are also mosque imams in New York for Jakarta to strengthen spiritual and cultural connectivity with diaspora, including expanding cooperation based on the values of tolerance and diversity that become Indonesia's strength.

The meeting also discussed the importance of the existence of the Indonesia Investment Center (IIC) in New York as a bridge for economic diplomacy. Pramono said that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government supports the strengthening of IIC as an investment promotion node that can connect business actors in Jakarta with US investors.

Pramono made an official trip to New York for one week. Pramono departed Jakarta since Sunday, July 13 and is scheduled to return to Jakarta on Sunday, July 20.

On the first day of his working visit, Pramono attended the opening session of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, New York, Monday, July 14.

Pramono became the first governor of DKI Jakarta to appear directly in a forum held by the UN Headquarters and is directly involved in the formulation of a global level sustainable development agenda.

In the forum, Pramono conveyed the importance of collaboration between cities and countries in responding to urbanization issues, climate crises, and social disparities.

"Jakarta is no longer just an administrative capital, but must advance to class as a global city, so it is important for us to be active in global diplomacy. Currently, Jakarta is implementing a number of important initiatives, including a clean energy transition, digitizing public services, and strengthening a community-based green economy," said Pramono.

Pramono assessed that Jakarta's participation in the United Nations headquarters was in line with the Jakarta initiative as an ASEAN Hub, which pushed Jakarta's position as the center of cooperation and innovation in the ASEAN region.

"This effort confirms the role of Jakarta diplomacy towards a global, resilient and adaptive city," he added.