Jakarta, April 17, 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya received a visit from representatives of the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) to discuss collaboration in IAI’s annual international-scale event. Minister Teuku Riefky emphasized the crucial role of architecture as one of the creative economy’s subsectors.
“Architecture, as one of the creative economy’s subsectors, plays an important role. Synergy or collaboration with IAI can help design creative economy solutions as a new engine for national economic growth, starting from the regions. The potential of architects is spread across Indonesia. Therefore, architecture can also contribute to creating quality jobs that focus on community welfare,” said Minister Teuku Riefky during the meeting held at the Gedung Film Pesona Indonesia, Jakarta, Thursday, April 17, 2025.
IAI is a professional organization for architects in Indonesia, serving as a platform to improve professionalism, develop ethical standards, and advocate for architects’ interests nationally and internationally since 1959. Minister Teuku Riefky highlighted the importance of having high-quality architects who can add value and collaborate with other creative economy subsectors such as film, crafts, and gaming.
“To further develop entrepreneurship and advance the architecture subsector, architects should collaborate with other subsectors. We have already established strong communication with over 100 associations, which will enable cross-subsector collaborations,” said Minister Teuku Riefky.
“With IAI’s involvement, we hope that multiple ministries and institutions will participate in creating best practices for collaboration. For instance, we are currently exploring with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing a scheme to facilitate housing financing liquidity for creative economy stakeholders,” added Minister Teuku Riefky.
The Minister also stressed the importance of data integration regarding registered IAI architect members, noting that integrated data is essential for sustainability.
“We will continue to compile data on creative economy players, including architects. This way, IAI-registered architects can be involved in research and studies. Architects should also receive priority access to facilitation programs and business credit schemes, ensuring that government policies deliver tangible benefits,” said Minister Teuku Riefky.
IAI currently has nearly 27,000 members, around 6,000 of whom are registered. IAI plays a key role in policy advocacy on urban planning, cultural heritage preservation, and in organizing seminars, competitions, and activities supporting architectural development.
Responding to Minister Teuku Riefky, IAI Vice Chairman 2 Firman S. Herwanto stated that the meeting also served as an introduction to the strength of the architectural profession in Indonesia. He encouraged government participation in advancing the creative economy ecosystem.
“Architecture is part of the creative economy subsector because of its inherent creativity. This meeting and upcoming IAI activities are part of our efforts to promote Indonesian architecture to regional and international levels,” said Firman.
Firman also expressed hope that the Ministry of Creative Economy would support the ARCH:ID event, an annual architecture forum scheduled for May 8–11, 2025, at ICE BSD City, South Tangerang.
“ARCH:ID is the annual architecture forum where stakeholders in the field can gather, collaborate, and connect. The main focus of this event is exhibition and conference. The exhibition will feature uniquely designed booths with the theme performative archipelagos by architects across generations. Additionally, we will hold a two-day international conference featuring urban studies experts, providing opportunities for business transactions, knowledge-sharing, idea exchange, and building collaborative networks within the architectural community,” Firman added.
Minister Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Deputy for Creative Economy Strategic Development Cecep Rukendi, Deputy for Cultural and Design Creativity Yuke Sri Rahayu, Director of Architecture and Design Sabar Norma Megawati Panjaitan, and Director of Infrastructure Facilitation Fahmy Akmal.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Communication Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
