Taste of Nusantara Officially Launched in the Middle East
Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy has achieved another strategic milestone on the global stage. After gaining widespread attention in Europe and America, the English version of the ‘Taste of Nusantara’ book, titled ‘Taste of Nusantara: 80 Bhayangkara Menu for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program,’ has officially been launched in the Middle East.
The book was presented by the Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Dedi Prasetyo, to the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah as part of a courtesy visit in Jeddah on Thursday, February 26, 2026. This handover marks the official launch of ‘Taste of Nusantara’ in the Middle East as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s cultural diplomacy, which emphasizes culture, social care, and the development of Indonesian human resources on the world stage.
The book was received by the Consul General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron Bahauddin Ambary, and symbolizes the strengthening of the role of Indonesian representatives abroad in conveying national policy narratives in a more inclusive and easily understandable way for the international community.
Meanwhile, from a separate location, the author of the ‘Taste of Nusantara’ book, Dirgayuza Setiawan, Special Assistant to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Communication and Policy Analysis, emphasized that the book was designed from the outset as an instrument of national diplomacy.
‘The presence of this book is a strategic diplomatic instrument. This book helps Indonesian Ambassadors in various countries, including in Jeddah, to explain to the international community about the richness, diversity, and successful implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Program in Indonesia,’ said Dirgayuza Setiawan.
According to him, the book not only talks about cuisine but also conveys state policy messages through a cultural approach that is universal and easily accepted across nations.
The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) as one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programs has now become the focus and discussion of various world figures.
‘In various international forums, the MBG has even been mentioned as one of the world programs that has received global support and attention, including from the United Nations (UN). To date, 107 countries have implemented similar programs as part of efforts to improve the nutritional quality of their communities,’ he explained.
As a country with a rich culinary culture that spans from Sabang to Merauke, hundreds of customs and traditions, and a variety of local food ingredients, Indonesia has a unique approach to implementing the MBG. The diversity of cooking traditions and local wisdom makes the implementation of the MBG in Indonesia one of the most diverse in the world.
This diversity is what is now attracting the attention of various nations. Indonesia is not only implementing a nutrition program but also strengthening cultural identity and local food potential in every implementation.
From London, Davos, the United States to Jeddah
The launch of ‘Taste of Nusantara’ in Jeddah complements Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy, which has previously been present in various global centers. On January 21, 2026, the book was presented to the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK in London. Subsequently, the book was introduced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as part of Indonesia’s diplomatic showcase, and the English version of the book was also introduced at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C., United States, during President Prabowo’s visit with a delegation before finally reaching the Middle East, brought directly by the Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police.
Several international media outlets have described the launch of the book in Davos as a new approach to Indonesian diplomacy, which combines strategic policies, culture, and social programs into a communicative narrative that is easily accepted by the global community.