Bali, Indonesia, 11 October 2022 – Indonesia Creative Cities Network (ICCN) and Think City signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to expand cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in ‘creative cities’ – a term used to describe cities that put creativity at the heart of urban development. The landmark MOU was signed by Dwinita Larasati, Deputy of Strategic Partnership ICCN and Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, Senior Director of Think City, witnessed by Nicholas J.A. Buchoud, President of the Grand Paris Alliance for Metropolitan Development and ICCN Honorary Member/ Advisor; and Rainer Kern, Co-chair, UNESCO Cities Network of Music, demonstrating the significance and visibility of both ICCN and Think City strategic activities, their pragmatism and quality work they undertake.

Signed on the side-lines of the World Conference on Creative Economy in Bali, Indonesia, the partnership presents itself as a collaborative effort for enhancing the role of creative cities in the global economy and renewing global partnerships to better support the cultural and creative industries. The collaboration paves the way for social, cultural, and economic development in the region, as well as enhanced working relationships with local communities and civil society to seed ideas, knowledge, and innovation.

Other items included in the MoU are development and technical support with urban communities to improve liveability and build resilience to the impact of climate change and other global disruptions. This will include research, advocacy and design solutions focused on social inclusion in public housing, safety, health, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation.

ICCN, formed in 2015, is a hub organisation to implement the 10 Principles of Indonesia Creative Cities. To date ICCN has connected local leaders and community representatives from more than 240 different cities/regencies in Indonesia with 34 regional coordinators and 34 sub-regional coordinators. ICCN is committed to advancing creative cities in Indonesia by conducting research and development to foster economic development with creativity as an engine. Implementation of the programme adopts a ‘hexa-helix’ collaborative structure where community works with government, business, academia, communities, media, and aggregators to drive outcomes.

Think City is an impact organisation established in 2009 to create more sustainable and equitable places for the benefit of all. The knowledge, skills and strategies focus on urban solutions, the environment, social communities, and the cultural economy. Think City is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad (the sovereign wealth fund of the Government of Malaysia).

The MOU marks a milestone for Think City after it was recently recognised by UN Habitat, in conjunction with World Habitat Day 2022, for its Think City Grants Programme which is a World Urban Forum legacy project.