The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta is the field office of the United Nations Secretariat whose executive head is the Secretary General. The Centre represents the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations which was created in 1946 “to promote an informed understanding of the world of the United Nations among the peoples of the world.”

UNIC Jakarta was established in 1955 five years after the Republic of Indonesia became a member of the United Nations. It was the 23rd UNIC to be established by the United Nations. The Centre was closed in 1965 following Indonesia’s decision to withdraw from the Organization’s membership, but then be reopened again in 1985.

The main activities of the Centre fall into two broad categories. First, they disseminate immediate information on current developments at the United Nations, by keeping the media abreast of the latest news, responding to inquiries, organizing press conferences, producing news bulletin, giving interview and monitoring and responding to the media. Secondly, the Centre engaged in activities aimed at promoting a better understanding of the principles and purposes of the United Nations.

To ensure that information reaches as broad an audience as possible, UNIC Jakarta maintains and nurtures a network of rediseminators, including local media, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and other public and private sector partners.

As the local voice of the Organization, the Centre provided a comprehensive picture of the Organization’s work, ranging from political issues emanating from Headquarters and from peacekeeping and political mission in the field to newsworthy topics relating to activities of the organizations of the United Nations system.

Often spearheading the information strategy of all the locally represented organizations of the United Nations system, the Centre used their professional skills and extensive contacts to publicize or generate interest in the local activities of the system as a whole. The centre also provided invaluable assistance to the organizations of the system in local launches of major reports and other communications activities.

By virtue of their close contact with the community and their knowledge of local interest and trends, UNIC Jakarta has a unique capability to tailor and deliver the United Nations message with maximum impact.