Indonesia Explores Opportunities for Cultural Cooperation with New Zealand

Indonesia (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is exploring cultural cooperation with New Zealand spanning various sectors, from the film industry to the strengthening of cultural heritage and museums. The outreach emerged in a meeting between Culture Minister Fadli Zon and New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Phillip Taula at the Ministry of Culture’s offices in Jakarta, on Friday (6/3). Fadli Zon said the opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the cultural field are wide and can be developed through the drafting of a memorandum of understanding as a framework for future collaboration. He said the government is also opening up opportunities for developing artist residency programmes as a means of encouraging idea exchange and positive cultural acculturation between the two countries. In addition, Indonesia is strengthening cultural diplomacy through various international forums, including hosting global culture forums such as Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) and CHANDI to be held in 2025. “We are also opening up opportunities for collaboration, including the possibility of jointly proposing elements of cultural heritage with New Zealand,” he said. In response, New Zealand Ambassador Phillip Taula welcomed Indonesia’s cultural cooperation initiative. “We are open to listening to ideas from the Indonesian government about cultural cooperation that can be undertaken. We can also look at the similarities shared by Indonesia and New Zealand,” Taula said. He noted that both countries share several similarities in cultural practices and traditions, including in the culinary field, the arts, and the expression of community culture, which can form the basis for strengthening people-to-people ties. The meeting was also attended by the Ministry of Culture’s Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, and Masyithoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri, the Minister’s Expert Staff for Cultural Law and Policy.