Jakarta, June 26, 2026 – Vice Minister of Creative Economy/Vice Head of the Creative Economy Agency Irene Umar attended the Kunstkring Dialogue: Restorative Economy Forum 2026 at Tugu Kunstkring Paleis in Jakarta on Friday (June 26). Her participation underscored the Ministry of Creative Economy’s commitment to advancing a restorative economy by strengthening creative industries that prioritize sustainability, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, attended the Kunstkring Dialogue: Restorative Economy Forum 2026 at Tugu Kunstkring Paleis in Jakarta on Friday (June 26, 2026).
Held under the theme “Ekonomi ASIK: Building a Restorative Economy Through Nature, History, Imagination, and Collaboration,” the forum brought together representatives from government, businesses, academia, civil society organizations, and local communities to discuss restorative economy as a development approach that balances economic growth, environmental recovery, and social well-being.
Irene said the ASIK framework serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s greatest strengths—its natural resources and historical heritage. She emphasized that innovation and collaboration are essential to ensuring these assets remain relevant and valuable for the future through the creative economy.
Photo: Bureau of Communications, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
"The ASIK framework reminds us of our source code—our nature and our history. These are our roots. Innovation and collaboration represent the future. Indonesia’s creative economy has a unique selling point rooted in our culture and history. These strengths allow us to define our future, and the creative economy makes them relevant for today’s world," Irene said.
She added that the restorative economy represents the next stage in the evolution of sustainability. In this context, the creative economy plays a key role in connecting restorative practices throughout the value chain—from production to marketing—making them more accessible and meaningful to society, particularly younger generations.
Photo: Bureau of Communications, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
"The restorative economy is a new movement. Many people are still focused on sustainability, but now we are moving toward restoration. The creative economy makes everything we do relevant to society. We look at the entire value chain—from responsible, non-extractive production and product packaging to marketing and consumer engagement. This is an interconnected chain that cannot be separated," she explained.
One of the panelists, Eka Maulana Nugraha Putra, Business Director of Conservana, said the ASIK framework offers an important approach to regional development by leveraging the potential of nature, history, imagination, and collaboration.
"ASIK is about how we work and how we approach regional development. These four aspects are fundamental. A restorative economy makes sense because every region in Indonesia has its own stories rooted in nature and history. Through collaboration, these stories demonstrate that every place holds limitless potential," Eka said.
He further noted that a restorative economy is not solely about creating economic value but also about preserving the resources that generate that value. According to him, Indonesia’s greatest assets are its imagination and creativity, which should be strengthened through collaboration rather than exploitation.
"A restorative economy asks how we can create value while ensuring that the sources of that value continue to thrive. Indonesia does not lack imagination. What we need is not more exploitation, but greater collaboration so that we can build a better future together," he added.
The forum also featured Vice Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan. Other panelists included Michella Irawan of Collabits, Hulda Nenogasu, Chair of Bamboo Coop, Singgih S. Kartono of Spedagi and Pasar Papringan, and Aiya Lee of Kagaounga Popeda.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia
