At the invitation of the Mayor of Ternate H.E. Tauhid Suleiman, Dutch Ambassador Marc Gerritsen joined the international conference of the Indonesian Heritage Cities Network, sharing perspectives on the power of heritage cooperation and international exchange in strengthening ties between communities and nations.
 
We also participated in the annual meeting of the Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network, a unique gathering of cities across Asia united by a shared history linked to former Dutch trading posts. From Ternate to beyond, these cities carry stories that still shape culture, identity, and partnerships today.
 
Together, these two gatherings offered something rare: a genuine space to pause, reflect, and ask how we can better understand, preserve, and share our shared heritage, not just as a record of the past, but as a foundation for future cooperation.
 
Heritage is not just about what we protect. It is about what we choose to carry forward together.