Indonesia Jajaki Cooperation for the Development of the Museum History Area of the Asian-African Conference

Museum of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, West Java. (Wikimedia Commons/Jagawana)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently exploring cooperation with friendly countries, related to the plan to develop the historic area of the Asian-African Conference Museum in Bandung City, West Java.

I Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, explained, "The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in the preparation phase for the development of a master plan related to the Asian-African Conference History Area.

"Including exploring cooperation with various friendly countries, for the preservation, digitization and utilization of archives and collections of the Asian-African Conference from various related countries," he explained, in a press statement at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Thursday (9/7).

Yvonne emphasized that this plan is part of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts to preserve the values of the Asian-African Conference and the Bandung Spirit.

"The plan of the developer of this historical area is our real effort from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to preserve the spirit of Bandung and the values of the Asian-African Conference," he said.

Last month, a delegation led by the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Heru Subolo, during a working visit to Japan, also discussed exploring cooperation related to this plan with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Foundation (JF), National Archives of Japan (NAJ), and Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR), quoted from the statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

"NAJ and JACAR welcome the opportunity to cooperate with Indonesia, especially regarding the preservation, digitization, and utilization of the KAA archives for the benefit of research, education, and public diplomacy," explained Ambassador Heru.

Meanwhile, the Head of the KAA Museum, Noviasari Rustam, explained that the Japanese welcomed the plan to develop the KAA Museum Historic Area and future collaborative programs.

"The development of the KAA Museum has received a positive response from the Japanese side. They support the plan to develop the capacity of the KAA Museum from the perspective of human resources. They will also connect the KAA Museum with the network of museums in Japan. The KAA Museum will also cooperate with NAJ and JACAR regarding digitization, and the use of KAA archives for the benefit of education, and public diplomacy," he explained.

"With the Tokyo National Museum, we hope to be able to carry out some technical cooperation with the KAA museum. Including sharing information about public programs at the Tokyo National Museum," he added.

Noviasari Rustam explained that the main challenges faced by the KAA Museum were infrastructure, facilities and human resources.

The KAA Museum, according to him, also strives to maximize the provision of accurate information access for the public not only in Indonesia but also for foreign tourists.