Indonesia and Timor-Leste Discuss Strengthening Cultural Cooperation
The Indonesian and Timor-Leste governments have discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, including the preservation of cultural heritage and cultural exchange programmes.
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and Timor-Leste’s Vice Minister for Arts and Culture Jorge Soares Cristovão met at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta on 12 August 2026 to discuss strengthening cultural cooperation between the two nations.
According to a ministry press release, the meeting covered cooperation in cultural heritage preservation, museum and library management, and cultural exchange programmes.
“Because there are many cultural similarities, we can explore the possibility of a joint nomination for intangible cultural heritage to UNESCO,” Fadli Zon said.
Other collaborative opportunities that could be explored, he noted, include reactivating the Indonesian Cultural House in Dili as a space for cultural collaboration and interaction between the two countries, as well as developing the Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy activities.
“In addition, we are inviting Pacific countries, including Timor-Leste, for cultural residencies at ISI Yogyakarta,” he said.
According to him, the programme can open up space for collaboration among young artists.
The Indonesian Minister of Culture also expressed a commitment to developing the aspiration for a Center of Excellence for World Heritage, designed as a platform for learning, capacity building, and knowledge exchange on cultural heritage.
Furthermore, he appreciated the Timor-Leste government’s support for Indonesia’s candidacy as a member of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee for the 2026–2030 period.
“Collaboration and joint nominations are very important for safeguarding and developing shared cultural heritage,” he said.
He also highlighted opportunities to enhance cooperation in library and museum management between the two countries.
According to him, the construction of the National Library of Timor-Leste will be completed next year. The hope is that afterwards, the National Library of Timor-Leste can cooperate with the National Library of Indonesia in conducting training on library management and cataloguing.
“Additionally, the construction of the National Museum will be completed in mid-2028. In the future, it is necessary to establish cooperation with the National Museum of Indonesia for museum management and implementation,” he said.
The Indonesian Minister of Culture stated that the Indonesian government is ready to assist the Timor-Leste government in developing libraries and museums.
“For libraries and museums, if needed, we can assist through the exchange of expertise, including in exhibition design and collection management,” he said.
The Indonesian Ministry of Culture, he continued, can also share its experience in implementing the Museum Passport programme to promote museums to the public.
The Indonesian and Timor-Leste governments also discussed efforts to strengthen relations through the development of the East Timor Pavilion at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.
The Indonesian Minister of Culture said that the East Timor Museum at the site will subsequently be directed to be developed into the Indonesia-Timor-Leste Friendship Museum.