Jakarta Becomes First Southeast Asia City Member of the World Cities Culture Forum
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Rizky Mawardi
Jakarta Provincial Government becomes the first city in Southeast Asia to join World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) member.
Jakarta needs support from various parties
Currently, Jakarta, the largest city in Indonesia and the economic center of Southeast Asia, has joined the World Cities Culture Forum network which covers more than 40 cities in the world. This announcement coincides with the celebration of Jakarta's 497th anniversary on June 22.
Jakarta will collaborate with more than 40 cities, including Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, London, New York and Tokyo to place culture at the heart of the city's growth and investment. Jakarta will also be included in the 2025 World Cities Culture Report, a comprehensive data report on culture and cities with 65 indicators, published every three years.
Based on Global Power City Index data, Jakarta is currently ranked 45th out of 48 other global cities and is the first city in the Southeast Asia region to join as a WCCF member. Through this membership, it is hoped that Jakarta can increase its index as a global city, especially in the tourism and culture sectors.
Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Head, Andhika Permata, said Jakarta's joining the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) can be a means to promote the attractiveness of tourism and creative industries based on arts, culture and information technology developments in Jakarta.
"To make this happen, of course Jakarta needs support from various parties. Jakarta's joining the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) is an effort to answer increasingly complex urban challenges, while simultaneously improving the quality of life of the community through the tourism and culture sectors," Andhika said, as quoted from Jakarta Provincial Government's press release, Monday (6/24).
Jakarta, as a melting pot or place for the interaction of various cultures, is growing rapidly, becoming one of the important tourism and cultural cities in Southeast Asia. To support this, Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing a Regional Long Term Development Plan (RPJPD) 2025-2045 with the vision of becoming a competitive global city, especially ahead of the change in Jakarta's status which no longer holds the title of Special Capital Region. Therefore, Jakarta is committed to becoming the center of the national economy and being able to compete as a global city on the international stage.
Moreover, Jakarta Culture Agency Head, Iwan Henry Wardhana, stated Jakarta has a unique opportunity to collaborate and advance positive change through exchanging ideas and innovations with 40 other member cities by placing the cultural sector at the heart of urban planning and investment.
"It is hoped that Jakarta can develop a city strategy based on cultural tourism and ultimately be able to strengthen Jakarta's position as a leading cultural tourism destination that is ready to welcome tourists from all over the world, thereby further increasing the attractiveness and reputation of the city of Jakarta as a global city," Iwan explained.
Meanwhile, Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries of the City of London Government, as Founder and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF), welcomed Jakarta joining as a member of the WCCF.
"I am very pleased that Jakarta is the first city from ASEAN to join the leading network of global creative cities and city leaders. Culture is an important element in a city's success because it can unite communities and help drive the economy. Through the World Cities Culture Forum, we use our strengths to overcome the challenges of the 21st century. We look forward to working with Jakarta to support its growth as a global cultural capital," Simons stated.