MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has called for a stronger role of provincial governments in implementing various recommendations emerging from the 18th National Working Conference (Rakernas) of the Association of Indonesian City Governments (APEKSI). According to him, these recommendations should not only serve as input for the central government but also become a foundation for provincial administrations in designing development policies aligned with regional needs.
Bobby made the statement during the opening of the APEKSI Rakernas XVIII at the Grand City Hall Ballroom on Jalan Balai Kota No. 1 in Medan on Wednesday evening (July 1, 2026). The national forum, which brings together mayors from across Indonesia, serves as a strategic platform to discuss urban development challenges and formulate policy recommendations.
Bobby emphasized that cities in Indonesia differ significantly in character, potential, and development challenges. These differences require tailored policy approaches. In this regard, provincial governments play a crucial bridging role between national policies and the specific needs of cities and regencies.
He noted that provincial authorities are well-positioned to translate APEKSI recommendations into concrete development programs that are more aligned with regional conditions. This approach, he said, would make policy implementation more targeted and responsive to public needs.
"Not all urban challenges are the same. Some regions have strong fiscal capacity, while others remain limited. Provincial governments have a strategic role in translating these recommendations into programs and policies that match regional needs. We, as the Government of North Sumatra Province, are open and ready to adopt these recommendations as part of our policy framework," he said.
Bobby added that a stronger provincial role would also accelerate policy synchronization between national and regional governments, thereby improving the effectiveness of development implementation.
FACING CHALLENGES: Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto highlights four major challenges for regional leaders, including crises, fiscal pressures, political demands, and digital communication. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Synergy and Regional Collaboration
Beyond implementing the Rakernas recommendations, Bobby also praised APEKSI as an important forum for exchanging experiences, innovations, and solutions among Indonesian cities.
He said he understood the value of the organization firsthand, having previously served as Mayor of Medan and an APEKSI member. That experience, he noted, demonstrated how effectively the forum functions as a platform for sharing ideas and improving public services.
"City development can be realized through APEKSI. I fully agree with that statement because I was once part of it. I have seen how APEKSI can become a driving force and a source of solutions for various regional challenges," he said.
Bobby also welcomed the presence of numerous mayors from across Indonesia in Medan. He noted that the event not only strengthened interregional cooperation but also generated economic benefits for Medan and North Sumatra, particularly in the hospitality, transportation, culinary, and small and medium enterprise sectors.
Four Major Challenges for Local Leaders
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Bima Arya Sugiarto outlined four key challenges facing regional leaders in Indonesia: crisis and disaster risks, fiscal pressures, political demands, and the rapid development of digital communication.
He stressed that the ability of local governments to address these challenges is crucial to the success of regional development. Therefore, innovation must be encouraged, public services improved, and cooperation with various stakeholders expanded.
Bima also highlighted that many Indonesian cities have already demonstrated best practices, particularly in digital public services, cross-sector collaboration, and citizen-centered leadership.
"Best practices do not need to be sought abroad. Many examples already exist in Indonesian cities," he said.
GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION: APEKSI leadership under Eri Cahyadi and Medan Mayor Rico Waas emphasizes the importance of inter-city collaboration in implementing conference outcomes. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Rakernas as a Momentum for Collaboration
Chairman of APEKSI and Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi described the XVIII Rakernas as an important moment to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among Indonesian cities. Amid growing challenges in 2026—including natural disasters, reduced fiscal transfers, and urban issues such as waste management and environmental quality—strong collaboration is essential.
He urged cities to intensify cooperation both among themselves and with the central government.
"APEKSI must become a collective force that provides solutions, not just complaints," he said.
Medan Mayor Rico Waas emphasized that the entire series of events—including the Indonesia Mayors Conference—should produce concrete commitments for regional development. The outcomes, he said, must go beyond symbolism and be implemented effectively.
"We hope the results of the APEKSI Rakernas will not only remain on paper but will be translated into real actions in cities across Indonesia," he said.
The APEKSI Rakernas XVIII is expected to generate strategic recommendations that strengthen intergovernmental cooperation, improve local governance quality, and accelerate urban development across Indonesia. (IDNC)
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