Jakarta – A panel discussion on cultural artifact repatriation was held at the @america cultural center on June 18, co-hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU), and the Ministry of Culture.
Panelists included Renita Moniaga from KEMLU’s Directorate of America I, Anton Wibisono from the Ministry of Culture, and Ayu Dipta Kirana from Southeast Asia Museum Services. The discussion was moderated by Asep Kambali, founder of Indonesia Historia Community.
The United States and Indonesia are collaborating to facilitate the return of Indonesian cultural objects currently in U.S. custody. This initiative follows previous cooperation efforts like the 2021 repatriation of three artifacts recovered by U.S. authorities.
Renita Moniaga emphasized that diplomacy involves more than just returning artifacts; it also aims to strengthen cultural ties and foster connections between nations through shared heritage preservation.
U.S. Embassy Spokesperson Jamie Ravetz highlighted that repatriating cultural property benefits both countries by contributing to a legitimate art market and ensuring these objects are preserved for future generations.
Additionally, both nations are engaged in various cultural heritage preservation projects. Through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant, efforts include developing a digital cataloging system for Indonesian museums and documenting local languages and culinary practices across Indonesia.