Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia is pushing for stronger cooperation in the cultural sector among BRICS members, a grouping of developing countries and major emerging markets comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking at the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Madhya Pradesh, India, on Saturday (August 8), Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon underscored the need for BRICS cultural cooperation to be inclusive and people-centered, guided by the principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect.
In a statement on Sunday (August 9), he highlighted that global challenges, including technological disruption, economic uncertainty, climate change pressures, and social fragmentation, underscore that culture is far more than merely an adjunct to development.
Therefore, Indonesia is pushing to strengthen BRICS cooperation through four key agenda items.
First, Indonesia advocates stronger protection of cultural heritage, alongside cooperation on the return and restitution of cultural objects.
Second, Indonesia calls for the strengthening of cultural and creative industries by placing artists and creators at the heart of the ecosystem, including through the protection of intellectual property rights and fair remuneration.
Third, Indonesia advocates the protection of traditional knowledge systems by ensuring the active involvement of communities and knowledge holders.
Fourth, Indonesia supports establishing culture as a standalone goal within the post-2030 global development framework, ensuring that culture’s contribution to development is recognized more clearly and sustainably.
Fadli also expressed Indonesia’s support for the Declaration of the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, describing it as a shared commitment to harness culture as a strategic force for resilience, innovation, sustainability, and strengthened cooperation among BRICS nations.
In the declaration, BRICS countries commit to strengthening cultural and creative industries, including protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring fair compensation for creators. They also support the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of artificial intelligence while respecting cultural diversity.
The countries also stress the importance of documenting cultural objects, researching their origins, and cooperating on their return and restitution.
In addition, BRICS countries have agreed to strengthen the protection and promotion of traditional knowledge by involving local communities and expanding cooperation among museums, libraries, archives, manuscript centers, and other cultural institutions.
The BRICS declaration also states that culture should be recognized as a separate goal in future international development efforts.
The Culture Ministers’ Meeting was attended by delegates from India, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Ethiopia, China, Russia, and Iran, as well as representatives from Cuba, Belarus, Thailand, and Kazakhstan as BRICS partner countries.
The meeting was part of the BRICS Culture Track 2026 series, which encompasses discussions on cultural and creative industries, copyright and artificial intelligence, the protection of cultural heritage and the return of cultural objects, and the intersection of culture and sustainable development.
Indonesia uses BRICS as a platform to strengthen cultural diplomacy and international cooperation for the benefit of artists, creators, cultural practitioners, institutions, and the public.
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Translator: Farhan Arda N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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