Indonesia Commits to Active Participation in WIPO Talks on Cultural Heritage Protection

Jakarta – Indonesia is poised to take an active role in ongoing negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) concerning the protection of cultural heritage, according to Culture Minister Fadli Zon. In a statement released on Thursday, Minister Zon affirmed Indonesia's commitment to sharing concrete national experiences related to cultural documentation, safeguarding, preservation, and the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.

The announcement coincided with the 53rd session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC on GR-TKF), held in Geneva and attended by representatives from 93 countries.

Minister Zon underscored that Indonesia approaches intellectual property discussions through a cultural lens. He explained, "Traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions are not merely intellectual property. They contain the identity, knowledge, history, and collective memory of communities."

He stressed that protecting these cultural assets must prioritize the communities themselves as the primary owners and custodians of their heritage. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of ensuring that any benefits derived from these cultural resources are returned to the originating communities.

The Indonesian government’s dedication to cultural affairs has been reinforced under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, notably through the establishment of the Culture Ministry as a standalone entity for the first time since Indonesia’s independence. This institutional development signals culture’s elevated status as a foundational element of national development and a pillar of Indonesia’s global diplomacy.

As of the end of 2025, Indonesia has officially designated 2,727 items as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. These items encompass a diverse range of cultural expressions, including the Saman Dance from Aceh, batik textiles from Java, traditional weaving practices across regions such as Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara, Kolintang music from North Sulawesi, and Noken bags from Papua.

Indonesia is actively advocating for an international legal framework that provides clarity on key issues such as obtaining consent, ensuring proper attribution or recognition of communities of origin, and establishing equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Minister Zon highlighted the economic dimension of cultural heritage, stating that "the economic value generated from culture must pay attention to origin, moral rights, and the interests of communities that have preserved that knowledge from generation to generation."

This stance aligns with Indonesia’s broader efforts to secure stronger protections and fairer economic returns for communities safeguarding traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.

Related developments include Indonesia’s proposal for a global royalty framework, which has been officially incorporated into the WIPO agenda, further demonstrating the country’s proactive engagement in shaping international intellectual property norms related to culture.