Bilateral relations between Indonesia and France continue to demonstrate a highly positive trend, particularly at the regional level. A tangible reflection of this progress was seen when the French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, paid a media visit to the Pikiran Rakyat Editorial Office on Jalan Asia Afrika No. 75, Bandung, on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The visit, which took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere at 11:30 a.m., aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties while outlining the expansion of strategic cooperation focused on enhancing local potential, particularly in West Java.
The French Embassy delegation was welcomed by PT Pikiran Rakyat Bandung Director Tia Yuniarti, along with members of the board of directors and the editorial management team.
Ambassador Fabien Penone emphasized that Bandung occupies a particularly important position in France’s diplomatic engagement with Indonesia. A key factor behind this significance is the presence of the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) Bandung, which serves as a driving force in fostering cultural relations between the two countries.
For the French Embassy, Bandung represents a top priority in terms of France’s local footprint in Indonesia. France is fortunate to have seven cultural centers across the country, with one of them strategically located in the City of Flowers. Over the years, IFI Bandung has actively hosted a variety of important events, including the French-Indonesian Gastronomy Week, which brings together the rich cultural heritage of both nations.
“For us, Bandung is a top priority in terms of our local footprint. We are very fortunate to have seven cultural centers across the country, including one in Bandung,” Penone said.
The ambassador further explained that France is currently entering a new phase of cooperation in education, research, and academic mobility. This initiative is being implemented through partnerships with several leading universities in Bandung, including the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Padjadjaran University (Unpad), and the Indonesia University of Education (UPI).
France is currently diversifying and expanding the scope of its academic cooperation, particularly in strengthening STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This enhanced scientific collaboration aligns with the France–Indonesia Innovation Year 2026 program, which focuses on providing opportunities for Indonesian students to pursue higher education in France.
During the discussion session, the Pikiran Rakyat editorial team highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people relations through cultural exchanges and the strategic role of the mass media. Bandung and Paris share a unique connection through their membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Within the network, Bandung is officially recognized as a City of Design, while Paris serves as the home of the UCCN Secretariat.
Responding to this point, Ambassador Penone noted that cooperation in creative industries such as cinema, fashion, and design continues to be strongly encouraged. One example is the collaboration agreement between the City of Bandung and the French city of Saint-Étienne. As an official member of the UNESCO City of Design network since 2015, Bandung has demonstrated its ability to successfully integrate design thinking into urban development.
In addition, the French Embassy is exploring ways to expand tourism opportunities by encouraging French visitors to look beyond traditional destinations such as Bali and Yogyakarta and discover the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Pasundan region.
Culinary Diplomacy
As part of France’s cultural diplomacy efforts, Ambassador Penone announced an upcoming visit by French chefs to Bandung. The chef tour is viewed as a concrete form of people-to-people diplomacy through gastronomy, or gastrodiplomacy. The initiative represents a meeting of two culinary destinations that enjoy strong reputations within the global creative landscape.
France is internationally recognized for its world-class culinary traditions, which have been acknowledged by UNESCO, while Bandung is widely regarded as one of Indonesia’s most dynamic centers of creative industries and culinary innovation. Through this culinary collaboration, both parties hope to stimulate local creative economic growth while actively engaging younger generations.
These cultural initiatives are designed to ensure that the people of West Java can directly experience the positive impact of the bilateral partnership. However, the success of these strategic programs also depends on strong communication support from the media sector.
Regarding the role of the media, Ambassador Penone described it as a crucial pillar in reaching the widest possible audience and local communities. Media organizations play an essential role in reporting bilateral activities and opening doors to new collaborative projects.
Implementation Is Key
Meanwhile, PT Pikiran Rakyat Bandung Director Tia Yuniarti emphasized the importance of translating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and France into tangible benefits for society. According to her, cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond a single sector and now encompasses a wide range of important areas, including the economy, education, and security.
Tia noted that implementing macro-level policies at the regional level is essential to ensure that the benefits of bilateral programs are directly felt by communities across West Java.
“The most important thing is that the benefits of these programs can be enjoyed by as many people as possible throughout West Java,” she said.
After concluding the media visit at Pikiran Rakyat, Ambassador Penone continued his agenda by meeting with Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan and representatives from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).***
