DENPASAR - The CHANDI 2025 international cultural forum in Bali is a key stage for Indonesian cultural diplomacy. On the sidelines of a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, September 2, Indonesia forged strategic agreements with two countries: the United Kingdom and Jordan.
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon met with Summer Xia, British Cultural Attaché and Director of the British Council for Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Both agreed to strengthen cultural collaboration, from organizing arts activities and research to cultural promotion programs. Fadli cited the success of the Indonesiana Fund, which has supported thousands of community programs, and encouraged a similar scheme with the United Kingdom.
The British Council, through its Connecting Through Culture program, is considered a strong aligning mechanism with the Indonesiana Fund. Summer Xia emphasized that this collaboration is expected to be finalized before the Indonesian President's visit to London. "This collaborative plan can pave the way for cultural research, community exchanges, and joint projects in the museum and arts sectors," she said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also being prepared to regulate skills exchange, collaboration between cultural institutions, and the promotion of shared heritage.
In addition to the United Kingdom, Indonesia is also strengthening cultural ties with Jordan. In a meeting with Jordanian Ambassador Sudqi Atallah Abd Alkader Al-Omoush, an MoU was agreed upon covering film production and the preservation of world heritage sites, including Borobudur in Indonesia and Petra in Jordan.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of making Jordan more than just a transit point to Al-Aqsa. "Jordan is rich in history and religious stories. This collaboration will encourage Indonesian tourists to make it a primary destination," said Fadli. The Jordanian Ambassador warmly welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the strength of his nation's history, which includes the stories of dozens of prophets, from Moses to John.
These two meetings emphasized that CHANDI 2025 is not merely a ceremonial forum, but a space for cultural diplomacy. Indonesia positions culture as a bridge to strengthen global networks, preserve world heritage, and open new opportunities in the tourism, arts, and cross-border research sectors.
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