On 16 June 2025, the Minister for the Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, held a meeting with the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO (KNIU) to discuss ways to strengthen coordination on a several national agendas, as well as to emphasise the importance of taking concrete steps to foster the creative economy ecosystem in regional areas. Currently, Ponorogo Regency has applied to become a Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, while Malang City has applied to become a City of Media Arts in order to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The Minister of Creative Economy said that creative economy agencies are crucial for supporting competitiveness and developing creative economy infrastructure.These agencies also ensure policies and programmes are tailored to local characteristics and potential. Indonesia currently has five UCCN cities, including Pekalongan and Surakarta as Creative Cities of Craft and Folk Art, Bandung as a City of Design, Ambon as a City of Music and Jakarta as a City of Literature.
Support from the Ministry of Creative Economy is expected to strengthen the position of cities applying to join the UCCN, enabling them to take on a more significant global role, particularly in areas of focus for UNESCO. The KNIU facilitates the application process for two additional cities to join the UCCN, serving as a bridge between the national government and UNESCO. With support from the Ministry of Creative Economy, the KNIU is optimistic that this process can be accelerated. The KNIU is also opening up opportunities for collaboration to support Indonesia's young generations excelling in the creative economy, including in animation, comics and other visual arts, enabling them to continue developing in these fields.
