The United Nations (PBB) in Indonesia, in collaboration with the Jakarta government, MUSEE ID, AMI Jakarta, and museum partners, has officially launched the "Mainstreaming SDGs in Museums" initiative at Jakarta City Hall.

The initiative seeks to empower museums as agents of change by weaving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the fabric of their curated exhibitions and community outreach programs.

It dives into how museums can bridge global challenges with Indonesia’s cultural legacy and local insights. During a series of workshops, UN experts will share best practices on turning global goals into localized reality.

The vision is to replicate this framework across Jakarta and eventually in every corner of the country.

According to Jakarta United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Director, Miklos Gaspar, museums are evolving into essential platforms for public involvement and sustainable education. This evolution is the driving force behind the "Mainstreaming SDGs in Museums" initiative.

“In a world of growing complexity, ten years post-SDG adoption, museums are more important than ever. They go beyond preservation; they educate the public on global crises, encourage vital conversations, and inspire us to act collectively for the benefit of people and the planet,” he expressed, Thursday (7/16).

He noted that Indonesian museums house stories of resilience, diversity, innovation, and peaceful coexistence.

“By bridging these narratives with the SDGs, museums can make sustainable development more accessible, relevant, and deeply meaningful for the public,” he stated.

Welcoming the partnership, AMIDA Jakarta Chairman Yiyok T. Herlambang emphasized the city’s drive to transform museums into dynamic learning centers. He cited the success of the SDG Corner at Bahari Museum as a blueprint for how cultural sites can educate the public on sustainability.

“Our vision is for Jakarta’s museums to become active partners in shaping a city that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable by weaving global goals into their core programs,” he noted.

Mis’ari, who leads the Jakarta Maritime Museum, highlighted the immediate benefits of the program. He noted, the "SDG Corner" has successfully transformed complex global agendas into stories that resonate with local visitors.

“As a trailblazer for the SDG Corner concept, we aim for the Bahari Museum to be a model for others. We want to show how cultural institutions can weave sustainability into their displays and public outreach,” he remarked.

Echoing this commitment, MUSEE ID Chair, Noffa Farida Lestari emphasized that sustainability is deeply rooted in Indonesia's identity.

She added that by aligning museum displays with global goals, visitors will realize that principles like environmental care, equality, and the spirit of mutual cooperation are not new concepts, but long-held treasures of the nation's cultural legacy.

"May this partnership inspire a new era for museums throughout Indonesia, where global goals become central to their mission,” she remarked.

This project is a continuation of the landmark SDG Corner initiative first introduced at the Bahari Museum. A joint effort between the UN and the city authorities, the Corner has become a recognized benchmark for embedding sustainable development into the fabric of museum exhibitions and public education.

The Mainstreaming SDGs in Museums program contributes to the United Nations' global ‘5 Years For’ campaign, marking the start of the final five-year countdown toward achieving the Agenda 2030. This campaign aims to bring the SDGs closer to people's daily lives through human-centered narratives and tangible actions.

This series of workshops marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration to strengthen the role of museums as key partners in driving sustainable development across Indonesia.