Foreign Delegations Begin Arriving in Makassar for IGS 2026

A number of foreign delegations have begun arriving in Makassar, including representatives from Pakistan, Fiji, and Australia, for the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series (IGS) Diplomatic Tour Makassar 2026. The delegates from Pakistan, Fiji, and Australia constitute the first batch of a total of 28 country representatives attending the series, which takes place from 23 to 25 June 2026. “We hope this visit can strengthen relations between nations while opening up opportunities for cooperation in various sectors, including tourism, trade, investment, and cultural development,” said Makassar Deputy Mayor Aliyah Mustika Ilham after personally welcoming the delegates at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport on Monday. Through a gastrodiplomacy approach, participants will be introduced to the rich culinary heritage of the archipelago, local wisdom, and the various leading potentials of Makassar as the gateway to Eastern Indonesia. According to Aliyah Mustika Ilham, this activity is a strategic momentum to introduce Makassar’s cultural wealth, cuisine, and economic potential to the international world. She further emphasised that Makassar, as the gateway to Eastern Indonesia, holds a strategic position in driving global collaboration. Therefore, the Makassar City Government remains committed to expanding its international network to support inclusive and competitive regional development. The Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series (IGS) is a cultural diplomacy programme that introduces Indonesia’s identity and diversity through cuisine as a medium of communication between nations. The presence of delegates from various countries is expected to strengthen friendships, expand international cooperation networks, and enhance Makassar’s promotion on the global stage.