Jakarta Museums Launch Initiative to Promote UN SDGs

Museums in Jakarta are stepping beyond their traditional roles as historical repositories to become active centers for learning and public engagement on global issues. On July 15, 2026, a new initiative, "Mainstreaming SDGs in Museums," was launched at Jakarta City Hall. This collaboration between the United Nations in Indonesia, the Jakarta Provincial Government, MUSEE ID, AMI DKI Jakarta, and various museum partners aims to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into museum exhibitions, educational programs, and public outreach.

The initiative seeks to leverage Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and local wisdom to communicate complex global challenges. Participating UN agencies will share their expertise and best practices, illustrating how SDGs translate into tangible actions across diverse sectors. This effort is inspired by the pioneering "SDG Corner" at the Museum Bahari, which was established earlier this year as a model for integrating sustainable development into museum spaces and public education.

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Ten years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is facing increasingly complex challenges. At a time like this, museums have an increasingly important role, not only in preserving our shared heritage, but also in helping people understand today’s global challenges, fostering dialogue, and inspiring collective action for people and planet.

Miklos Gaspar, Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta, emphasized the critical role museums play in today's world. "At a time like this, museums have an increasingly important role, not only in preserving our shared heritage, but also in helping people understand today’s global challenges, fostering dialogue, and inspiring collective action for people and planet," he stated. Gaspar highlighted that Indonesian museums, with their stories of resilience and diversity, can make sustainable development more accessible and relevant by connecting these narratives with the SDGs.

Yiyok T. Herlambang, Chair of the Indonesian Museum Association of Jakarta (AMI DKI Jakarta), welcomed the initiative, reaffirming Jakarta's commitment to enhancing museums as public learning spaces. The success of the SDG Corner at Museum Bahari has already demonstrated the potential for museums to serve as platforms for public learning and dialogue on critical global issues.

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Indonesia’s museums preserve stories of resilience, diversity, innovation, and peaceful coexistence. By connecting these stories with the SDGs, museums can make sustainable development more accessible, relevant, and meaningful to the public.