TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has officially formed the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO (KNIU). The formation of KNIU was carried out through the issuance of Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 2026.
In the copy of Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2026, it is stated that this regulation aims to strengthen Indonesia's role in improving the quality of education, science, culture, and communication and information at the international level. The national level organization of KNIU is directly under the President.
Prabowo signed the policy on May 13, 2026, mandating KNIU to coordinate and harmonize the central and local governments and stakeholders in various UNESCO programs throughout the country.
"KNIU has the task of facilitating, coordinating, synergizing, and synchronizing in the fields of education, science, culture, as well as communication and information across sectors in the development of UNESCO programs," as stated in Article 3 of Presidential Regulation 31/2026.
In addition to coordinating, KNIU carries out the following functions: mapping, planning, and aligning programs, formulating strategies, facilitating and synchronizing cooperation, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of UNESCO programs in Indonesia.
The regulation also governs KNIU's organizational structure. Article 5 states that KNIU consists of directors, a chairman, members, working groups, and a secretariat.
In its organizational structure, the minister responsible for human development and cultural affairs is appointed as the director of KNIU. Meanwhile, the minister responsible for cultural affairs is appointed as the chairperson.
KNIU's membership involves several ministers and heads of agencies, ranging from the minister responsible for foreign affairs, basic and secondary education, to higher education and science. In addition, membership also includes the minister in charge of communication and information, as well as the head of government agencies dealing with research, development, innovation, nuclear energy, and outer space.
This regulation establishes the accountability mechanism between KNIU and the President. The KNIU Chairperson is required to periodically report on performance and task execution. "The Chairperson shall report on the performance and execution of duties and functions of KNIU to the President at least once in 1 (one) year or at any time if necessary after coordinating with the director," as stated in Article 20 paragraph (3).
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