Fadli Zon: Through IPACS 2025 Strengthening Cultural And Collaboration Diplomacy Of Pacific Countries

Through IPACS 2025 Fadli Zon hopes to strengthen cultural diplomacy and the collaboration of Pacific countries. (IST)

KUPANG Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon emphasized that through the 2025 Indonesian Forum 'Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS), his party is strengthening cultural diplomacy and collaborating with Pacific countries.

IPACS 2025 is officially opened in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, November 11. Carrying the theme "Celebrating Shared Cultures and Community Wisdom", this forum is a strategic event that brings together cultural ministers, artists, academics, and cultural communities from various countries in the Pacific region to strengthen networks, diplomacy, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Held on 11'13 November 2025, IPACS became the exchange space for ideas regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, creative innovation, and strengthening a culture-based sustainable economy. This international forum was attended by 12 Pacific countries, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon, New Caledonia-France, Kiribati, Marshal, Naruru, Palau, Timor-Leste, Tonga,oximantan, and Vanuatu.

The IPACS implementation confirms Indonesia's position as a cultural bridge that connects Asia and the Pacific through maritime cultural values and local wisdom.

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, in his speech said that IPACS is a collaborative platform designed to strengthen cultural networks, encourage cross-community dialogue, and place culture as an important pillar in regional development. Through this forum, culture is expected to unite countries in the Pacific region.

"With the spirit of Celebrating Shared Cultures and Community Wisdom, Indonesia reaffirms the role of culture as a unifying force in the Pacific region, a driving force for sustainable development, and an important force for regional cooperation," said Minister Fadli.

Furthermore, Minister Fadli said that Indonesia and the Pacific have great potential to make culture a common growth engine through the power of the cultural and creative industry. This cultural potential will be fully realized through cooperation and partnership commitments.

"This is the reason IPACS 2025 was initiated, as a platform for collective action. IPACS 2025 will produce a cultural policy recommendation document, containing a long-term cooperation roadmap that places culture as a pillar of development," he said.

Present to give a speech in front of the delegates, the Governor of NTT, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, also conveyed the importance of the presence of IPACS 2025 as an international cultural event that connects Indonesia with Pacific countries. He considered that this forum was an opportunity for Indonesia, especially the province of NTT in introducing its wealth and cultural diversity.

"On behalf of the people and the Provincial Government of NTT, we welcome you to Kupang. IPACS is an important forum in creating exchanges of ideas and ideas to build culture specifically; maintaining ecology, climate, cultural traditions and innovation; and encouraging a sustainable economy," said Governor Emanuel.

"Hopefully through IPACS, cultural relations among passive countries can be collaborated, as well as formulate concrete steps in preserving, developing, utilizing and cultural diplomacy in the region," he added.

The official opening of the IPACS 2025 was marked by the beating of Tifa musical instruments by the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon with the ministers of culture and representatives of Pacific countries who attended. On the same occasion, Minister Fadli also launched the IPACS special edition stamp. The event closed with the appearance of IPACS Children Choir consisting of SMPK Giovanni, SD Kristen Tunas Gloria, and the choir of St. Yoseph Kupang City, which sang 3 songs entitled Ninanoy, A Million Dreams, and Under The Sun.

The opening ceremony of the IPACS 2025 was also attended by cultural ministers and representatives from Pacific countries; Ambassadors and representatives of friendly countries; Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ribka Jaluk; Mayor of Kupang, Christian Widodo, FORKOPIMDA NTT, as well as communities and cultural actors in the Kupang region. Present accompanied the Minister of Culture, including the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang Wibawarta; Inspector General of the Ministry of Culture, Fryda Lucyana; Director General of Cultural and Traditional Protection, Restu Gunawan; Director General of Promotion and Cultural Diplomacy, Endah TD Retnoastuti; Director General of Development, Utilization, and Culture Development, Ahmad Mahendra; as well as officials of the Ministry of Culture.

IPACS 2025 will present a Ministerial Level Dialogue, traditional cultural exhibitions and handicrafts, as well as a thematic plenary session that discusses cultural roles as a driving force for sustainable development in the region. This forum carries a number of strategic goals, including: strengthening cultural networks between Indonesia and Pacific countries through sustainable cooperation; encouraging cross-cultural dialogue to deepen understanding between communities; making culture a pillar of Post-2030 Agenda in global development; promoting regional diplomacy that is inclusive with Indonesia as an equivalent and sustainable strategic partner; and supporting community empowerment, especially for the younger generation and local cultural actors.

By involving all countries in the Pacific region, this forum is expected to produce a number of tangible achievements in the form of policy recommendation documents between passive culture ministries, the formation of permanent cultural residential networks, the birth of innovative cultural products with economic value, as well as sustainable cultural policies that place culture as pillars of sustainable and inclusive development.

Closing his remarks, Minister Fadli reiterated Indonesia's role as a cultural bridge between Southeast Asia and the Pacific that strengthens diplomacy based on equality and solidarity. "Let us together renew our commitment to cultural cooperation, community empowerment, and preservation of shared cultural heritage as the foundation for unity, prosperity, and eternal peace in the region and the world," he concluded.

Through the implementation of IPACS 2025, it is hoped that cultural cooperation between Indonesia and Pacific countries can continue to grow into a mutually strengthening, sustainable, and inclusive partnership. This forum not only strengthens relations between nations through culture, but also gives birth to real collaborations that provide benefits to people in the region.