Banda Aceh, 17 April, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf) took part in the International Disaster Resilience Workshop & Conference 2026 themed Rethinking Architecture: Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience & Recovery (DR3). The international architecture forum highlighted strategic issues surrounding the role of design in addressing natural disaster threats and post-disaster reconstruction.
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, attended the conference at Hermes Palace Hotel on Friday (April 17, 2026).
The Minister stated that the government’s presence at the forum reflects its commitment to fostering innovation and high-quality architectural works as part of the national creative economy.
“This ministry was established to orchestrate 17 subsectors, one of which is architecture. As part of the creative economy, we believe the architectural industry will continue to grow. In 2024, the architecture subsector employed around 61,442 workers, contributed more than USD 2.1 billion to GDP, and recorded approximately USD 22 million in total investment. This demonstrates that architects in Indonesia play a significant role in driving the national economy,” he said.
The event, held at Hermes Palace Hotel in Banda Aceh, served as a global forum to discuss risk reduction, resilience strengthening, and recovery through architectural approaches. It also marked the first-ever event in Indonesia organized by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) since its establishment in 1948.
Doc. Bureau for Communication Ministry of Creative Economy/ Creative Economy Agency
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening the creative economy ecosystem, including partnerships with the Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI). According to him, the role of architecture has evolved beyond aesthetics to become a crucial component in disaster mitigation and national resilience.
“We continue to collaborate through the hexahelix approach to strengthen the creative economy ecosystem, including partnerships with IAI as the professional organization for architects in Indonesia. Architecture is now transforming from the art of design into a science of sustainability. Through design innovation, architects can turn ‘hazards’ into ‘manageable risks.’ The Ministry supports disaster management efforts led by creative economy actors, as they are an integral part of national economic resilience,” he added.
Banda Aceh was selected as the host city without a bidding process, considering its internationally recognized track record in resilience and post-disaster reconstruction.
Doc. Bureau for Communication Ministry of Creative Economy/ Creative Economy Agency
Executive Chair & Convenor of the UIA Natural and Human Disasters Work Programme Region IV, Aimee Roslan, explained that the UIA is a global organization representing architects, with 117 member sections across 125 countries and approximately 700,000 registered architects worldwide.
“This is the first UIA event held in the Republic of Indonesia, specifically in Banda Aceh, a city known for its resilience. Hosting this conference here carries meaningful responsibility. The city stands as a real example and a living laboratory in facing and adapting to both natural and humanitarian disasters,” she said.
“In this context, Banda Aceh is the right choice to host DR3 Aceh 2026, as it demonstrates how to rebuild better, 21 years after experiencing one of the largest natural disasters of the 21st century, as well as its capacity to adapt to future disasters,” she added.
Through its participation in this forum, the Ministry of Creative Economy reaffirmed its support for strengthening the role of architecture as a strategic subsector that contributes to economic resilience while addressing global disaster challenges.
Also in attendance at the conference were Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal; Director of Arcasia Emergency Architects Tony Wong; Chair of the Aceh Regional House of Representatives Zulfadhli; Chair of the Banda Aceh City House of Representatives Irwansyah; President of the Indonesian Institute of Architects Georgius Budi Yulianto; Chair of the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) Aceh Province Said Husain; and Chair of the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) Aceh Marlina Usman.
The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Special Staff for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Affairs Rian Firmansyah and Director of Architecture and Graphic Design Sabar Norma Megawati Pandjaitan.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
