BANDA ACEH | INDATANEWS.COM ~ Indonesia's Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, emphasized the pressing challenges of urbanization and city development during the Regional Commission I Working Meeting of the Association of Indonesian City Governments (APEKSI) 2026 in Banda Aceh. The event carries the theme "Resilient Cities, Strong Fiscal Policy, and Close Collaboration."
Official Welcome and Conference Opening in Banda AcehDeputy Governor of Aceh, Fadhlullah, officially welcomed Minister Tito Karnavian upon his arrival at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport on Monday, April 20, 2026. His arrival marked the formal opening of the APEKSI Regional Commission I meeting, where he also served as a keynote speaker.
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Tito Karnavian highlights the importance of
urban planning, green spaces, and pedestrian-friendly cities to improve quality of life. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan).
Urbanization Pressures and Sustainable City Planning
In his address,
Tito Karnavian underscored Indonesia's accelerating urbanization trend, noting that approximately 56 percent of the population now resides in urban areas, while 44 percent remain in rural regions. He stressed that this demographic shift requires balanced regional development to prevent structural challenges in cities.
He further highlighted the importance of comprehensive urban planning, including the provision of adequate green spaces, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and healthier living environments.
Read Also: Rico Waas Urges Stronger City Cooperation and Fiscal Discipline at APEKSI Conference "A good city is one with clear spatial planning, abundant green areas, and infrastructure that supports pedestrians, as this directly improves the quality of life," Tito said.
MOSQUE VISIT: Minister Tito Karnavian and Deputy Governor Fadhlullah visit the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan)
Governance Integrity and Economic Stability
Read Also: Aceh Gears Up for UUPA Reform Ahead of DPR RI Baleg Visit The minister also urged regional governments to maintain integrity in policymaking and avoid corruption as well as inefficient budget spending. Amid global economic uncertainty, he emphasized the importance of inflation control, noting its direct impact on purchasing power and regional economic stability.
On the sidelines of the event, the city governments of Medan and Pematang Siantar also submitted letters of financial assistance support for Aceh Tamiang and Bener Meriah districts to help address disaster impacts.
Visit to Baiturrahman Grand Mosque and Assistance HandoverFollowing the meeting, Tito Karnavian and Deputy Governor Fadhlullah visited the iconic Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. During the visit, the minister handed over operational support in the form of a Toyota Hiace vehicle to the mosque management to assist its services and activities.
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