Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung met New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani at Civic Hall in New York on Sunday, 20 September 2026, for a bilateral discussion on urban challenges, including public transport, traffic congestion, flooding, air pollution and infrastructure financing.
The meeting took place alongside the Urban 20 Mayors Summit 2026. Mamdani asked Pramono about Jakarta’s approach to managing congestion, while Pramono outlined the development of Transjabodetabek and other public transport services. The two officials also discussed Jakarta’s plan to issue regional bonds, known as Jakarta Bond, to support infrastructure development.
Mamdani Asks About Jakarta’s Approach to Traffic
During the meeting, Mamdani asked Pramono about Jakarta’s strategy for addressing congestion and expanding public transport.
“We have discussed public transportation in New York, and I want to know, as you said the main problem in Jakarta is traffic congestion, what steps are you taking to address that?” Mamdani said, according to a video shared by Pramono and reported by Bisnis.com.
Pramono explained that Jakarta was developing Transjabodetabek to connect the capital with surrounding areas and reduce the number of private vehicles travelling into the city. He said more than four million people travel in and out of Jakarta each day, particularly during peak hours.
“First of all, I opened the Transjabodetabek bus service, which not only serves the Jakarta area but also the surrounding areas of Bodetabek,” Pramono said.
He added that Jakarta’s public transport network currently includes Transjakarta, MRT Jakarta and LRT Jakarta, with connectivity reported at more than 93 per cent. Fifteen groups, including older people, people with disabilities, low-income residents and students, can access free public transport through government subsidies.
“Through Transjabodetabek, we want to reduce congestion and the volume of vehicles entering Jakarta while strengthening regional connectivity,” Pramono said. “We also provide free public transport services for 15 groups, including older people, people with disabilities, KJP recipient students and KJMU recipient university students.”
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Jakarta Outlines Flood Control and Jakarta Bond Plans
Flood management was another issue discussed during the meeting. Pramono outlined Jakarta’s efforts to strengthen flood-control infrastructure, reduce groundwater use to address land subsidence and develop the Giant Sea Wall.
“Like New York, one of Jakarta’s challenges is flooding. Therefore, we continue to strengthen flood-control infrastructure, reduce groundwater use to address land subsidence, and develop the Giant Sea Wall,” Pramono said.
The officials also discussed Jakarta’s plan to issue regional bonds, referred to as Jakarta Bond, as a financing mechanism for urban infrastructure. Reports said the planned bond would be used to raise funds for infrastructure projects, with Bisnis.com reporting a proposed figure of Rp5.6 trillion.
Mamdani offered to facilitate an exchange of knowledge between New York and Jakarta’s financial teams, citing New York’s experience with municipal bonds for public infrastructure.
“I am very enthusiastic and supportive of Jakarta’s plan to issue regional bonds. New York has also used bonds to finance infrastructure, including waste treatment and various public facilities. We are ready to send our financial team to share experience with the Jakarta Provincial Government on the preparation and process of issuing regional bonds,” Mamdani said.
A separate report quoted Mamdani as saying, “I will send our financial team to Jakarta to share New York’s experience in using regional bonds to finance development.”
The meeting therefore covered both operational issues, such as transport and flood management, and longer-term infrastructure financing. The Jakarta administration said the bilateral discussion could support further cooperation between the two cities on urban development.
