Bali | World Conference on Creative Economy

Indonesia is set to host the first World Conference on Creative Economy, taking place in Bali 6-8 November. It will serve as a forum for government representatives and industry players to exchange ideas establish common ground and resolve challenges in the industry.

"The speakers will come from different parts of the world and they will present their views on the current state of the creative economy and their vision of the future of this industry," Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) chairman Triawan Munaf said at a press conference in Jakarta.

The inaugural conference will take place in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Nov. 6-8 and will involve around 1,000 participants, including ministers and business leaders, from 50 countries. These include Peter Trillingsgaard, vice president for government and public affairs at the Lego Group; Le Kexi, president of the China Film Corporation, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Bukalapak chief executive Achmad Zaky and Tokopedia chief executive William Tanuwijayia.

"This conference is part of our effort to increase our capacity as a country, to further strengthen our creativity and competitiveness, and to achieve prosperity for the people," Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir said.

With "Inclusively Creative" as the main theme, participants will discuss key issues in the creative economy, including social cohesion, regulations, marketing, ecosystems and financing.

The creative economy is a tool to facilitate better communication and understanding across the economic and cultural divide, especially because the industry has the potent to create opportunities for all, regardless of age, gender, background or geographic location, Triawan said.

Fachir added that the conference forms part of Indonesia's efforts to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as decent work and economic growth and reduced inequality.

"It is both fitting and a duty for Indonesia to become a leader in the creative economy because we have what it takes," Triawan said, adding that Indonesia plans to hold the event biannually.

Indonesia's creative economy has been on the rise over the past few years. It contributed more than Rp 922 trillion ($61.7 billion), or around 7.4 percent of the country's economy, in 2016.

Endah Sulistianti, deputy for inter-region and institution relations at Bekraf, said the conference aims to present the potential of creativity for the future of the world.

"We are proposing to the world this tangible and infinite possibility, from creativity as [one of the solutions] to the limits of our natural resources," Endah said.

The conference will coincide with CreatiVillage, an exhibition space for ideas, concepts and products of various countries. Endah said it will feature creative works from South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark, among others.

Business and investment forums, as well as business-matching sessions, will also take place on the sidelines of the event.

The conference is expected to conclude with a set of recommendations on the creative economy, which will be presented at next year's session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Fachir said Indonesian officials attending the ongoing session of the General Assembly are lobbying UN member countries to support efforts that will boost the role of creative the economy across the globe.

Report in Jakarta Globe