MEDAN – The 18th Pre-Rakernas of APEKSI and the launch of the 22nd Indonesia City Expo (ICE) were held at Santika Dyandra on Tuesday (February 24th). APEKSI Executive Director Alwis Rustam highlighted that the meeting in Medan will be a crucial opportunity to strengthen solidarity amidst global pressures and disaster risks. The main focus of this National Working Meeting will be on strengthening the local economy and regional independence through measurable agendas. “The meeting in Medan will focus on strengthening inter-city collaboration through business matches, investment forums, and developing regional revenue potential,” said Alwis. By integrating policy discussion forums with the ICE innovation exhibition, the 18th Rakernas in Medan is expected to be a catalyst for Indonesian cities to grow more resilient and independent in supporting national sovereignty.
Medan Mayor Rico Waas emphasized Medan’s full readiness to welcome 98 mayors from across Indonesia this coming June. As a miniature Indonesia with its cultural diversity and strategic position at the western gateway, Medan is committed to creating a space for warm yet critical discussions. “Medan is ready to welcome regional heads with a warm atmosphere and provide a productive discussion space to formulate solutions to various urban problems,” said Rico. He added that this event is not just a ceremony, but a forum for concrete action to address challenges ranging from fiscal resilience to digital infrastructure, in order to realize the overarching theme: “Resilient City Sovereign Nation.”
Eri Cahyadi, Chairperson of the APEKSI Board of Directors and Mayor of Surabaya, expressed his high appreciation for Medan’s readiness and emphasized the importance of synergy in facing increasingly complex urban dynamics. He stated that the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) and ICE (Indonesia City Expo) are the main platforms for each region to showcase innovations and seek answers to the real problems faced by city governments. “The Indonesia City Expo and Rakernas are a forum for sharing innovation and regional excellence. I invite all mayors to attend, bringing their respective regions’ potential and challenges so that we can discuss them together and produce concrete solutions,” Eri emphasized. This spirit is expected to unite the vision of sustainable development across the archipelago.
Previously, Windu Wijaya from Kinarya, the event organizer, presented at the Indonesia City Expo, which will showcase cities’ development, progress, and superior products.