Pramono Says Religious Celebrations Have a Place in Jakarta, Highlights Diversity
Jakarta has become a stage for strengthening peace and harmony in Southeast Asia through the inaugural Harmony in Diversity (HID) Award 2026. Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung stated that the event aims to reinforce solidarity and social cohesion across the region amid increasingly complex global geopolitical conditions.
Pramono made the remarks while attending the Welcoming Dinner for the Harmony in Diversity Award 2026 at Balai Agung, DKI Jakarta City Hall, on Tuesday. Jakarta is the first city to be entrusted with hosting this Southeast Asian-level award.
“We view this event as a collective commitment to strengthening peace, friendship, and social cohesion throughout Southeast Asia amid increasingly complex global geopolitical conditions,” Pramono said on Wednesday.
Pramono revealed that, according to the Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar, the ASEAN Social Cohesion Index currently stands at 72.4 percent. He noted that while this achievement indicates a good condition, it still requires commitment and collaboration from all countries in the region to maintain harmony.
“This is the urgency of holding the Harmony in Diversity Award. From more than 70 nominations received from various countries in Southeast Asia, inspirational figures have emerged who have made real contributions to society,” he said.
He assessed that the award is not merely a form of appreciation, but also a reminder of the importance of maintaining unity amidst the diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicities, and languages that ASEAN countries possess.
Pramono also asserted that the value of diversity has become part of Jakarta’s identity. Therefore, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government continues to provide space for various religious and cultural celebrations as a form of respect for the plurality of society.
“Starting from the Christmas Carol Colossal, Chinese New Year celebrations, the Ogoh-ogoh parade, Jakarta Bedug Colossal, to Waisak, all are given space in this city. Diversity is Jakarta’s main source of strength,” he stressed.
At the inaugural HID Award 2026, the award was presented to Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo for his work in mediating conflict in Mindanao, the Philippines, including through the Bishops-Ulama Conference. This effort is considered a real example of how interfaith dialogue can bring about peace and strengthen social cohesion.
The Welcoming Dinner was also attended by several figures from the Southeast Asian region, including former President of Singapore Halimah Yacob, Founder and Chair of 5P Global Movement Arsjad Rasjid, and former Indonesian Foreign Ministers Retno Marsudi and Marty Natalegawa.
The Harmony in Diversity Award 2026 took place on 14-15 July 2026. The award ceremony was scheduled to be held on 15 July 2026 at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta. The award was initiated by a foundation from Singapore together with 5P Global Movement Indonesia as a form of appreciation for individuals who contribute to strengthening harmony and social cohesion in Southeast Asia.