Tempe culture one step closer to UNESCO World Heritage status

Indonesia is on the cusp of achieving global recognition for its culinary heritage, as Tempe culture awaits designation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The decision is anticipated by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone for the traditional fermented soybean food.

The ongoing National Tempe Day (Hartempenas) 2026 celebrations throughout June are centered on the theme "Tempe Goes Global: From Local Wisdom to World Heritage." This initiative, organized by various Indonesian food and nutrition associations, universities, and government bodies, includes a range of activities. These span from batik creation contests and educational video competitions to digital campaigns, webinars, innovation exhibitions, and an international seminar in Jakarta.

The push for UNESCO recognition began in earnest when the Indonesian Ministry of Culture formally submitted the Tempe culture nomination to UNESCO on March 29, 2025. Endah T.D Retnoastuti, Director General of Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation, expressed hope for the designation by year-end, emphasizing that tempe represents more than just a food product. It embodies Indonesia's local wisdom in sustainable resource management, strong community values ('gotong royong'), and adaptive fermentation techniques utilizing local ingredients.

Prof. Hardinsyah, Chairman of the Indonesian Tempe Forum (FTI), elaborated on tempe's significance, stating it transcends food and nutrition to encompass history, culture, technology, grassroots economics, public health, food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural diplomacy. He views the UNESCO nomination as an acknowledgment of traditional knowledge, fermentation technology, cultural values, and intergenerational practices.

Furthermore, FTI introduced the concept of a Global Tempe Forum during the Hartempenas 2026 culmination. This international platform aims to foster collaboration in knowledge exchange, research, innovation, cultural promotion, and the development of a sustainable tempe ecosystem. Hardinsyah highlighted tempe's potential to drive economic growth and generate foreign exchange through exports, underscoring its multifaceted importance.