Malang and Ponorogo Join UNESCO Creative Cities Network
javadiscovery.com – Two regions in East Java — Malang City and Ponorogo Regency — have officially been recognized as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as of October 31, 2025, coinciding with World Cities Day. This milestone highlights how local culture, innovation, and technology have become vital forces in shaping Indonesia’s creative economy.
With their inclusion, Indonesia’s presence on the global creative map grows stronger, joining 408 cities from over 100 countries that make up UNESCO’s global creative network — cities that use creativity and culture as engines of sustainable urban development.
Global Recognition and Creative Categories
The announcement was made by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who welcomed 58 new members into this expanding creative family. Ponorogo earned its recognition as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, a nod to its enduring folk traditions and vibrant craftsmanship rooted in centuries of cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Malang was named a Creative City of Media Arts, honoring its growing reputation as a hub for digital innovation, animation, and creative technology.
This recognition not only celebrates the diversity of East Java’s cultural landscape but also represents a bridge between tradition and technology — between the artisans of Ponorogo and the digital creators of Malang.
National Appreciation and a Vision for Creative Growth
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, expressed deep appreciation for this international recognition, describing it as a shared success for Indonesia’s entire creative ecosystem.
“The achievement of Ponorogo and Malang as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network proves that Indonesia’s creative economy can compete globally. This is not only a regional triumph but a national milestone,” said the Minister.
He emphasized that this accomplishment aligns with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029, which places creativity and innovation at the core of sustainable economic growth.
“We see local creativity as the new energy of development. From Ponorogo’s folk arts to Malang’s digital innovation, these represent The New Engine of Growth — growth that begins with creativity and cultural diversity at the local level,” he added.
The Role of the Ministry of Creative Economy
The Ministry of Creative Economy played a pivotal role in coordinating Indonesia’s nominations for the 2025 UCCN selection. Working hand-in-hand with the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO (KNIU), the Ministry acted as the national focal point, overseeing the formation of the national selection committee, the assessment criteria, public outreach, and technical mentorship for dossier preparation.
This rigorous and collaborative process ensured that the selected cities truly embody creativity as the foundation for inclusive and sustainable urban development. The use of a hexahelix model — combining government, academia, industry, community, media, and financial institutions — became a cornerstone for building a resilient creative ecosystem.
Building Cities on the Power of Creativity
UNESCO underscores that creative cities play an essential role in fostering human-centered, culturally vibrant urban life. Audrey Azoulay reaffirmed this principle, stating, “UNESCO Creative Cities show that culture and creative industries can be real drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we strengthen a network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment, and promotes social cohesion.”
For Indonesia, this means greater opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment attraction in both traditional and digital creative sectors. From Ponorogo’s globally recognized Reog performance art to Malang’s rising creative tech scene, these cities now stand as symbols of how creativity — rooted in culture — can build bridges between heritage and innovation.
As Malang and Ponorogo take their place among the world’s creative cities, they carry not just the pride of East Java, but the promise of a nation whose stories, crafts, and digital visions are ready to inspire the world.
Category: News
Writer: Alvin Darmawan
