The commitment to international cooperation between Jakarta and South Korea was reaffirmed through the 2026 Nonsan Strawberry Festival, held at Gandaria City Mall, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Friday (February 6). This marked the second time the festival has been held in Jakarta, as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the Jakarta Provincial Government and Nonsan City, South Korea.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Vice Governor of DKI Jakarta, Rano Karno. The festival’s presence in Jakarta reflects the strong commitment of both cities to expanding cross-sector collaboration. Beyond its ceremonial nature, the Nonsan Strawberry Festival is designed as a platform for economic, cultural, and knowledge exchange.
In his remarks, Vice Governor Rano expressed optimism about this year’s festival. He noted that the more engaging and meaningful concept of the event has significantly contributed to the increased enthusiasm among Jakarta residents.
“The public enthusiasm for this festival is very high. I believe this year’s event will be far more successful, as people have long been waiting for its return,” said Rano Karno.
The Nonsan Strawberry Festival is widely known as an annual event promoting premium strawberries from Nonsan City. Through this festival, these leading agricultural products are introduced directly to the people of Jakarta as part of the promotion of high-quality commodities from South Korea.
In addition to showcasing products, the festival also opens opportunities for cooperation in modern agriculture. Several strategic issues are highlighted, including cold chain systems, improving crop quality, and the management of agricultural product distribution.
Vice Governor Rano emphasized that the festival holds strategic value as it encourages the exchange of knowledge between the two cities. According to him, Jakarta can gain valuable insights from Nonsan City, particularly in technology-based agricultural management.
“Through this festival, cultural and idea exchanges take place, enriching the relationship between the two cities. Jakarta can learn a great deal from Nonsan, especially in modern agricultural management and crop distribution systems,” he explained.
He added that this cooperation aligns with the Jakarta Provincial Government’s efforts to enhance food quality and food security. Modern agricultural approaches are considered highly relevant for application in urban areas, including through the development of urban farming.
“We have strong reasons to remain actively involved in this initiative. Our cooperation with Nonsan City is something we are committed to maintaining and strengthening,” Rano Karno affirmed. He noted that the Nonsan Strawberry Festival serves as an effective medium for building interregional relationships across countries.
The Jakarta Provincial Government hopes that this collaboration will continue and generate sustainable benefits for both parties, particularly in the fields of agriculture, economy, and cultural exchange.
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