Malang, 8 November 2025 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency, together with the Indonesia Creative Cities Festival (ICCF), strengthened Indonesia’s creative cities network through an international conference held in Malang. Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya highlighted that investment in the creative economy has reached 66 percent of the 2025 target, with the creative workforce predominantly driven by young people under 40.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menyaksikan MoU Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif dengan KEK Singasari yang merupakan rangkaian acara Indonesia Creative Cities Festival (ICCF) 2025, Malang, Sabtu (8/11/2025).
“The Ministry of Creative Economy appreciates ICCN’s initiative in organizing ICCF 2025 as a forum that brings together cities and regencies in the spirit of collaboration and creative learning. When cities and communities are interconnected, creativity becomes added value that opens job opportunities and enhances competitiveness,” said Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya during his keynote address at Malang Creative Center on Saturday, 8 November 2025.
Beyond the international conference, the event featured cross-sector cultural and digital technology collaborations. Through showcases, ideathons, and partnership signings, ICCF 2025 reaffirmed a shared commitment to building creative cities that are inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The ICCF 2025 International Conference carries a strategic mission to outline policy directions and recommendations toward Indonesia Emas 2045, positioning creativity as a foundation for national development. With the theme “Nusantaraya – Senyawa Malang Raya,” the conference encapsulates the region’s creative resurgence, as Malang Raya continues to demonstrate remarkable potential. East Java itself ranks among the top five provinces contributing to increased investment and export performance.
“Data from BKPM shows that investment in the creative economy subsector reached 66 percent of the national target for the first semester of 2025, as mandated by the President through Bappenas. Meanwhile, our export target of USD 26.4 billion has already reached 49 percent. The creative workforce now stands at 26.5 million people, with nearly half under the age of 40,” the Minister explained.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Ministry continues to encourage younger generations to actively enter the creative industry, given their strong alignment with the digital landscape. However, Minister Riefky emphasized that collaboration is key, requiring support from national and local governments, communities, academia, businesses, media, and financial institutions through a hexahelix approach.
“Communities play the most dynamic role, operating at the grassroots level to generate ideas, collaborations, and innovations tested directly in the field. Communities also serve as bridges between national policies and local realities. Strengthening community networks—such as those of ICCN—is essential to accelerating creative-economy equality and facilitating the exchange of ideas and technologies,” he added.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Echoing this sentiment, ICCN Chairperson Tubagus Fiki Chikara Satari stated that conferences involving diverse community networks help encourage collaboration and shape the direction of Indonesia’s creative economy. The event provides inspiration and actionable insights for participants to further develop their cities.
“As of October 2025, ICCN has built a network of more than 254 creative cities and regencies across Indonesia. ICCN is not only active at the national level but also engages globally by participating in international platforms. This enables us to address global development challenges, digital transformation, future work trends, and potential opportunities for continued collaboration,” Fiki Satari said.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Malang City itself has been designated under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the Media Arts category, recognizing its achievements in games, animation, digital storytelling, makerspace communities, and youth-driven creative sectors in East Java. During the event, the city also launched its official “Malang City of Media Arts” logo as a new identity in elevating its media and digital arts ecosystem to the global stage.
“We want Malang to be a welcoming home for all creative economy practitioners across Indonesia. The City Government is committed to making the creative economy a central driver of growth, supported by a strong ecosystem and exceptional talent. Let us support ICCF 2025 with enthusiasm and continue elevating the creative economy for a more advanced Indonesia,” said Malang Deputy Mayor Ali Muthohirin.
As a follow-up to the Ministry’s working visit on 29 April 2025 to Singhasari Special Economic Zone (KEK), the Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Secretary of the Creative Economy Agency also signed an MoU with KEK Singhasari on developing an innovative ecosystem that fosters research, production, education, and commercialization.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Minister Riefky was accompanied by Secretary of the Ministry Dessy Ruhati; Deputy for Strategic Creative Economy Development, Cecep Rukendi; Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic Issues and Inter-Institutional Affairs, Rian Syaf; Director of Infrastructure Facilitation, Fahmy Akmal; Director of Funding and Investment Access Development, Anggara Hayun Anujuprana; Head of SDMO Bureau, Nurul Huda; as well as the Special Envoy of the President for Youth Development and Creative Workers, Raffi Ahmad; Vice Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha; CEO of PT Intelegensia Grahatama (KEK Singhasari BUPP), David Santoso; and representatives from creative community networks across Indonesia.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
