JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, encourages Indonesia and Uruguay to immediately lock cultural cooperation through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), from artist residencies to strengthening the creative economy. During the meeting, Fadli also asked for Uruguay's support for Indonesia's candidacy as a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), with elections in June 2026.
The strategic dialogue was held with the Ambassador of Uruguay Cristina Gonzalez at the E Building of the Ministry of Education, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, February 27, 2026. Minister of Education Fadli said that both countries were culturally rich, but cooperation needed to be made more concrete, not stopping at meetings and discussions.
"We very much welcome bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Uruguay, especially in the field of culture. As a follow-up, we can announce a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for various important cooperations," said Fadli.
According to Fadli, 2026 is a momentum because Indonesia-Uruguay enters 60 years of diplomatic relations. He proposed a program that could immediately see the results: art exhibitions, strengthening museums, to the exchange of artists.
"We strongly support cultural activists to participate in international residencies, including between Uruguayan and Indonesian artists," said Minister of Culture Fadli. He assessed that residencies are effective for showing the cultural expressions of each country and building cross-country networks.
In addition to the UNESCO issue, Fadli also encouraged further discussion on TIERRA VIVA, a cultural exhibition plan that showcases the works of Latin American artists at the National Gallery of Indonesia.
Cristina Gonzalez welcomed the plan to strengthen cultural diplomacy. "This strategic dialogue between Uruguay and Indonesia is important as a reinforcement of bilateral relations through the promotion of culture... and building people to people contact," he said.
Menbud Fadli hopes that this meeting will soon be translated into concrete action so that cultural collaboration has a clear output. In the dialogue, Fadli was accompanied by, among others, the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retnoastuti and the Expert Staff for Economic and Cultural Industry Anindita Kusuma Listya.
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