Vice Governor Reveals Many 'Sister City' Ties Are Dormant: Time to Reorganize

Jakarta - The newly inaugurated Governor and Vice Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung and Rano Karno, held a diplomatic gathering with ambassadors from various sister city partner nations during the capital's 499th anniversary celebrations in Central Jakarta. The event highlighted a pressing issue regarding the current state of Jakarta's international partnerships.

During the "Jakarta Twilight Soiree: Commemorating Jakarta's 499th Anniversary" event on Monday (22/6/2026), which was also notably attended by the 4th President of Indonesia and PDIP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, Vice Governor Rano Karno addressed the media regarding the effectiveness of existing international collaboration agreements.

According to reports from our media crew at the scene, Rano expressed gratitude for the opportunity to revitalize these global connections. He emphasized that while the agreements are already in place, the operational reality on the ground tells a different story.

"Alhamdulillah, this is the moment for us to reorganize our cooperation. The Governor and I were just discussing this. We actually have several agreements with 'Sister Cities' already, but to be quite honest, they are sleeping—they are not running," Rano told journalists at the venue on Monday (22/6).

A Comprehensive Overhaul on the Horizon

The Vice Governor’s statement signals a significant policy intention from the new Jakarta leadership to audit and restructure foreign cooperation. The term "sleeping" suggests that many of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed over the years have become stagnant, lacking tangible implementation or benefits for the capital city's residents.

The presence of international dignitaries at the Jakarta Twilight Soiree served as the perfect backdrop for this diplomatic reset. By voicing this concern directly at an event celebrating the city's heritage, the administration is sending a clear message that future international relations must go beyond ceremonial handshakes and paper agreements.

Our media coverage indicates that Governor Pramono Anung shares this sentiment fully. The duo appears committed to ensuring that Jakarta's global partnerships yield concrete results, whether in urban planning, environmental sustainability, cultural exchange, or economic development. This move marks a shift toward a more transactional and results-oriented approach to diplomacy, aligning with the city's vision as it approaches its fifth century.