NAIROBI, Kenya, April 26— The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi on Saturday underscored the growing role of food diplomacy in international relations after showcasing Indonesian culinary arts and culture at the ASEAN Food Festival (AFF) 2026 held at Village Market Mall.
The event brought together ASEAN member country representatives based in Kenya—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand—as a platform for cultural exchange and economic networking.
It attracted more than 1,000 visitors from Kenya and abroad, including guests from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya Witjaksono Adji, who also serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Nairobi (ACN) for 2026, said the festival demonstrated how cuisine can serve as a powerful instrument of soft-power diplomacy and regional cooperation.
“Through food, we share who we are—our traditions, our families, and how we connect with others. Every dish served today reflects everyday life in our country,” he said during the opening ceremony. “Food, drink, and culture grow dynamically, creating noble values in a peaceful society.”
The festival was attended by officials from Kenya’s State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, members of the diplomatic corps, journalists, and diaspora communities from participating ASEAN countries.
Kenyan government representative Michael Mwangi Meru praised the initiative, saying culinary and cultural exchanges strengthen people-to-people ties and could position Kenya as a strategic gateway for ASEAN engagement in East Africa.
“Culinary arts and culture are bridges between nations that transcend borders,” he said, adding that Kenya welcomed deeper cooperation with ASEAN countries in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
A Vietnamese community group also participated despite the absence of a formal diplomatic mission in Kenya, alongside private sector partners including Indonesian brands Indomie and Indocafe, which used the event to promote products and explore business opportunities.
The Indonesian pavilion, coordinated by the Embassy’s Dharma Wanita Persatuan and members of the Indonesian diaspora in Nairobi, emerged as one of the most visited attractions.
Traditional dishes such as fried rice, satay, meatballs, tempeh, and siomay sold out quickly, alongside snacks including lemper, risoles, and kue lupis. Iced lychee tea also proved popular among visitors.
Guests also explored Indonesian cultural exhibits featuring batik textiles, woven fabrics, handmade crafts from micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as tourism promotions under the “Wonderful Indonesia” campaign and education opportunities.
Minister Counsellor Raden Wisnu Lombardwinanto said the festival’s success reflected the growing effectiveness of gastrodiplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
“Food and culture provide a shared language that fosters understanding, builds trust, and enhances economic cooperation,” he said.
Embassy officials said the initiative forms part of Indonesia’s broader soft power strategy aimed at increasing cultural visibility, expanding export markets, and promoting tourism and education ties with Kenya and the wider East African region.
They added that continued cultural engagement will remain central to Indonesia’s diplomatic outreach, with food diplomacy playing an increasingly important role in shaping international perceptions and strengthening ASEAN’s presence in Africa.
