JAKARTA In commemoration of International Museum Day 2025, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon reaffirmed his commitment to making the museum a pillar of national cultural infrastructure. This was conveyed when opening the international seminar SEA Museum Collaboration: Innovating Museum Public Programs for a Rapidly Changing Society' which was held at the National Museum of Indonesia.
The SEA Museum Collaboration is a regional forum that brings together museum stakeholders throughout Southeast Asia in order to strengthen the collaboration, innovation, and relevance of museums in the midst of changing world challenges.
In his remarks, Menbud Fadli Zon stated that the museum is an active forum for cultural education, cultural dialogue, and cross-generational understanding. For this reason, a collaborative activity is needed as part of a joint commitment in strengthening the role and strength of museum transformation in society.
The museum is not only a guardian of the legacy, but also as a driver of dialogue, inclusion and sustainable development in our region. So that activities such as the SEAMuseum Collaboration are very important as our joint commitment to the transformation of the Museum," he said.
"Especially in the midst of the very rapid world development as well as the disruption of technology, crisis, and the digital world that changes everyday life, museums face various important questions to what extent the museum remains relevant today, how museums form the nation's future, and museum efforts to be able to speak meaningfully in the midst of the digital world as it is today," continued Menbud Fadli.
The Minister of Culture also added that the museum should be a learning ecosystem that helps the public in dealing with complexity and not just as a stationary storage place. Therefore, he considered that the theme of International Museum Day this year, the innovation of the Museum's Public Program for Changing Communities is very important and strategic.
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There are more than 2,500 museums in Southeast Asia that are facing challenges on how to create programs for an inclusive and attractive public and ensure museums are related to all generations, backgrounds, and communities. For this reason, solidarity and collaboration from all museums in Southeast Asia are needed as the starting point for long-term regional initiatives," he said.
The SEA Museum Collaboration was attended by representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, ICOM Indonesia, Indonesian Hidden Heritage Creative Hub, museum heads, museum professionals, and speakers from various ASEAN countries. Also present at the opening, Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, Endah T.D. Retnoastuti; Charge d'Affaires of Royal Thai Embassy to Indonesia, Hathaichanok Riddhagni Frumau; Charles d'Affaires the Philippines Embassy to Indonesia, Goranao B. Musor; Commercial Attache of Royal Embasssy of Cambodia to Indonesia, Rem Nhanh; Third Secretary of Laos Embassy To Indonesia, Chanthakone mangvilaita; Director of the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Indonesia, Miklos Gaspar ; Senior Member of ICOM, KRT. Thomas Haryoganoro; Director of the Singapore Children's Museum, Asmah Alias; Director of the Museum of Pinang Country, Malaysia, Haryany Muhammad; Representative of Bangkok National Museum, Supply Nongcut; Singapore National Gallery Representative, Ong Zhen Min; as well as the Philippine National Museum, Jorell Marcos Legaspi.
First Secretary of the Singapore Embassy, Roystan Ang, who also offered a welcome, stated that this forum is very important in order to collaborate and exchange ideas. This activity is a platform for museums throughout the region to gather, discuss, exchange ideas and perspectives. I believe this will bring benefits to all of us in facing complex challenges in the months and years to come," said Roystan Ang.
Furthermore, Menbud Fadli Zon emphasized that the museum must remain relevant to the younger generation as well. He explained the survey data conducted by the Indonesian Public Service Agency of Museum and Cultural Heritage in 2025, 70% of museum visitors in Indonesia are 35 years old, with the largest group 37%' aged 18 to 24 years. He also assessed that museums require fundamental changes in designing, curating, and communicating with the younger generation in order to have more interest in museums. Not only that, but museums also need to empower communities and can respond to urgent issues such as ecological damage and social inequality.
This forum is part of the commemoration of the 2015 International Museum Day and is the initial initiative of an annual collaboration series between Southeast Asian museums. Its series of activities include international seminars, practical workshops, as well as a thematic exhibition entitled Traditional, Cross-World which was opened directly by the Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon.
The exhibition presents the museum's travel narrative as an institution that continues to transform, highlighting the regional and global roles in responding to contemporary issues.
This activity is also a stage for Indonesian museums to showcase innovation, interactive approaches, and success in reaching a wider audience.
Menbud Fadli Zon advised that museums are institutions that must also develop, "The museum is not a passive space, but a living institution that must develop with the people it serves. Let's step together and ensure that museums throughout ASEAN continue to innovate, inclusive, and have future insights," he concluded.
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