At The IPACS 2025 Forum, Indonesia And Pasik Countries Make An Agreement

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon took a photo together with ministers and envoys from countries participating in IPACS 2025. (IST)

KUPANG - In the series of Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) 2025, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, led the meeting of the ministerial or Ministerial Dialogue IPACS 2025 levels. Carrying the theme Rich and Diverse Cultural Heritage of the Pacific Region: A Driver of Sustainable Development, the forum which took place at the Harper Hotel Kupang discussed in depth the strengthening, challenges, and cultural cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The implementation of IPACS 2025 is broadly aimed at a number of objectives. Such as strengthening cultural networks between Indonesia and Pacific countries, encouraging the realization of cross-border dialogue to deepen mutual understanding of cultural traditions and various expressions, as well as mainstreaming culture as the main pillar in the post-2030 development agenda.

This high-level meeting also raised the urgency of climate change by highlighting the cultural dimension that affects people's lives in the Pacific archipelago, as well as encouraging sustainable development that is in line with the preservation of culture and the environment.

Starting this high-level cultural dialogue, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, expressed his commitment to creating and advancing the culture of the Pacific region which is strong. The 2025 IPACS Forum is a tangible manifestation of the Ministry of Culture's commitment to preserving history and cultural heritage so as to strengthen unity between regional countries.

IPACS 2025 has the theme Celebrating Shares Cultures and Community Wisdom, where this forum is our driving force to advance sustainable development in the Pacific region. This meeting is a reflection of the reality of us working together, making us know to prioritize various programs. Because, culture in the Pacific area can be a driving force in unity and mutual prosperity," explained Menbud Fadli.

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia also mentioned a number of challenges faced by countries in the Asia Pacific region that can erode its authentic cultural values. Countries in the Pacific region face a number of challenges, including the loss of regional languages to migration of the younger generation who stay away from their communities. However, technology opens up many possibilities and access to culture that can be done through digital platforms," added the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

The 2025 IPACS Dialogue ministerial was attended by 12 countries in the Pacific region. The twelve countries are the Republic of Fiji, New Caledonia (France), the Free State of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands Republic, the Republic of Naru, the Republic of Palau, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, the Kingdom of Tonga,bulka, the Republic of Vanuatu, and the Republic of Indonesia as the host.

The Minister of iTaukei Affairs of the Republic of Fiji, Iferemi Vasu, expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the IPACS 2025 which was initiated by the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. Ifareimi agreed with the records of the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon on the importance of preserving regional culture, cooperation and synergy.

Fiji-Indonesia's cooperation relationship alone has lasted for more than fifty years based on the spirit of national development. Indonesia has supported Fiji through infrastructure development, scholarships, technical cooperation, which has enriched our creative talent," he said.

According to him, the cultural heritage of the Pacific is a very extraordinary asset. Cultural heritage underlies identity, strengthens community relations, encourages economic opportunities, and guides the preservation of a sustainable and inclusive environment for passive countries while sharing a shared story with the world.

Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) 2025 successfully adopted the collaboration commitment document contained in the IPACS 2025 Joint Statement: A Shared Cultural Vision for Sustainable and Resilient Pacific. Ministers and representatives of twelve Pacific countries adopted this document as a compass for cultural strengthening in the region. Through the spirit of collaboration, Indonesia and Pacific countries will jointly strengthen sustainable development and realize prosperity for the current and future generations by mainstreaming culture as pillars of development.

Having the opportunity to convey a summary of the proceedings of high-level meetings, the Minister of State for Tourism, Arts and Culture of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, invites cooperation to continue to open open and inclusive dialogue so that Indonesia and the Pacific can continue to advance. Through cultural diplomacy, cooperation between regional, private, community, and strategic investment for an inclusive future.

"Delegation supports the results of the IPACS 2025 discussion as a tool to encourage friendship and use culture as a driver for sustainable development," he concluded.

This high-level meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ribka Haluk; the ranks of functional diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; a number of officials within the Ministry of Culture, including the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion and Cultural Cooperation, Endah TD Retnoastuti; Director of Cultural Cooperation, Mardisontori; Director of Culture Diplomacy, Usman Effendi; Expert Staff of the Minister of Law and Culture Policy, Masyithoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri; Expert Staff of the Minister for Inter-Institutional Relations, Ismunandar; Expert Staff Minister for Economic Affairs and Culture Industry, Anindita Kusuma Listya; Special Staff to the Minister of Diplomacy and International Relations, Annisa Rengganis.