November 11, 2025 | 06:11 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, asserted that Indonesia is an important part of the Pacific region, particularly through its eastern provinces like East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Maluku, and Papua. He made the statement while opening the Indonesia Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) 2025 event in Kupang on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Fadli views IPACS as a crucial moment to strengthen the cultural network between Indonesia and Pacific nations. He noted that the cultural relationship between the two regions is characterized by strong historical and ethnic kinship, as well as shared cultural expressions and arts.
"We are not only a part of Asia, but also a part of the Pacific. Provinces in Indonesia's eastern region, such as NTT, Maluku, and Papua, have close cultural and historical ties with Pacific society," he said.
Fadli highlighted the extraordinary cultural richness of eastern Indonesia, ranging from traditional dances and music to profoundly meaningful woven fabrics.
"In NTT alone, there are more than 800 woven fabric motifs, each telling the history, philosophy, and identity of its people. This is a living cultural biography," he added.
He also expressed appreciation for the presence of ambassadors, artists, and cultural representatives from Pacific nations, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, who traveled great distances to participate in IPACS 2025.
"They are not just guests, but our relatives. We share many similarities in language, music, and social values inherited from our ancestors," Fadli remarked.
Fadli expressed hope that the IPACS 2025 event would mark the beginning of sustainable collaboration between Indonesia and Pacific nations in the fields of art, culture, and creativity.
"Through this event, we aim to strengthen relationships and foster cultural exchanges so that more people around the world can appreciate Indonesia's cultural richness, especially that of the eastern regions," he concluded.
IPACS 2025 in Kupang, held from November 11–13, 2025, involved 13 Pacific nations. Facilitated by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, the event featured cultural exhibitions, art performances, and forums for collaboration among artists and cultural figures.
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