JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture officially took over the duties of the secretariat of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO or KNIU. This transition makes Minister of Culture Fadli Zon hold a new job that is not easy, namely strengthening Indonesia's position in the UNESCO forum.
The handover was carried out through the signing of the Minutes of the Transfer or BAST from the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti to Fadli Zon at the Ministry of Culture Office, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, July 6.
This step is a follow-up to Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2026 concerning the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO. With this regulation, the implementation of the duties and functions of KNIU is under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture.
"We at the Ministry of Culture, with the birth of Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2026 concerning the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO, have a new task to continue what has been carried out by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education," said Fadli.
Fadli, who is also the Chairman of KNIU, said there were six priority steps that would be encouraged. First, strengthen coordination of all UNESCO focal points in Indonesia. The focal point is the party or unit that is the main liaison in the UNESCO program.
Second, improving the quality of Indonesian nominations in various UNESCO programs. Third, strengthening the implementation of all UNESCO conventions.
Fourth, expanding the use of digital technology in the management of UNESCO programs. Fifth, supporting the development of Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Education for Sustainable Development, and Open Science in accordance with global developments.
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is related to the governance of artificial intelligence ethics. Education for Sustainable Development is concerned with education for sustainable development. Open Science encourages science to be more open and accessible.
The sixth priority is to optimize Indonesia's role as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2023-2027. Fadli wants Indonesia's contribution to be felt more in the formulation of UNESCO policies.
KNIU has a mandate in five UNESCO fields, namely education, science, culture, communication, and information. Therefore, strengthening this institution will determine how strongly Indonesia will utilize the UNESCO network for national interests.
Indonesia has a number of achievements in cooperation with UNESCO. Among them are the recognition of world cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, UNESCO Global Geoparks, Biosphere Reserves, Memory of the World, and trust as a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the period 2026-2030.
Abdul Mu'ti said the transfer of KNIU was a relay of service. He handed over the management of KNIU, along with archives, documents, and institutional administration to the Ministry of Culture.
"All the archives, documents, and administrative institutions to the Ministry of Culture as stated in the Transfer Minutes that we will sign together," said Abdul Mu'ti.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno emphasized that the transition must run quickly and effectively. He asked for the strengthening of governance, the completion of institutional structures, the division of roles, and the cross-ministerial coordination mechanism to be immediately resolved.
"KNIU has produced many achievements while under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. With the implementation at the Ministry of Culture, we hope that its performance and contribution will be stronger," said Pratikno.
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