Papuaaround.com – The Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development (KEPP Otsus) in Papua has intensified coordination with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) to accelerate development across Tanah Papua. The discussion focused on aligning policy directions to ensure that development programs run sustainably and deliver measurable benefits for local communities.
The meeting marked an important step in strengthening coordination between national planning institutions and regional development bodies in Papua. Both parties emphasized the need for a unified policy framework so that development initiatives can contribute effectively to national targets while addressing long-standing regional disparities.
Chairman of the Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Executive Committee, Velix Wanggai, stated that Bappenas invited KEPP Otsus to engage in consultations related to national development planning in Papua. According to him, the forum served as a strategic platform to harmonize policies, programs, budgets, and development locations managed by ministries, state institutions, and regional governments.
Velix explained that policy alignment is essential to ensure that development efforts in Papua are not fragmented. He stressed that a unified approach would allow the government to measure Papua’s contribution to national economic growth more accurately. At the same time, it would strengthen efforts to reduce the development gap between eastern and western regions of Indonesia.
“We have reached an understanding with the Ministry of National Development Planning to align perspectives on how Papua contributes to national economic growth and how it supports the reduction of regional inequality,” Velix said during the discussion held on Tuesday.
He further emphasized that accelerating development in Papua must go hand in hand with environmental protection. According to Velix, Papua’s forests, ecosystems, and social structures are strategic assets that must be preserved. Development policies, therefore, need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability to ensure long-term benefits for future generations.
Velix noted that consistency in policy implementation plays a critical role in achieving sustainable development outcomes. Without consistent direction and coordination, development programs risk becoming short-term solutions that fail to address structural challenges in Papua. For this reason, he underscored the importance of strengthening ongoing coordination and communication with Bappenas.
He expressed hope that collaboration between KEPP Otsus and Bappenas would continue to improve. Through stronger coordination, both institutions aim to unify vision, strategy, and policy direction in pursuing equitable development for Papua. Such cooperation is expected to enhance the effectiveness of development planning and implementation across sectors.
In addition to policy alignment, the discussion also addressed key challenges that continue to hinder development acceleration in Papua. One of the most critical issues highlighted was extreme poverty, which remains a major barrier to improving welfare and economic productivity in the region.
Paulus Waterpauw, a member of the Papua Executive Committee, stressed that extreme poverty must be treated as a top priority in development planning. He explained that poverty not only affects income levels but also triggers a range of other issues, including social vulnerability and security concerns.
According to Paulus, discussions with Bappenas explored the root causes of development challenges in Papua. These include persistent low performance in the Human Development Index, which reflects limitations in access to education, healthcare, and basic services. Such conditions, he noted, continue to restrict opportunities for communities to improve their quality of life.
“Extreme poverty must become a central focus because it creates a chain reaction of other problems, from social challenges to security issues,” Paulus said. He added that without addressing poverty at its core, other development programs may fail to produce lasting impact.
The meeting also underscored the importance of integrating national development priorities with local needs. Participants agreed that development strategies must be context-sensitive and responsive to Papua’s unique geographical, social, and cultural conditions. This approach is expected to improve policy relevance and increase community participation in development processes.
Furthermore, the coordination between KEPP Otsus and Bappenas is expected to strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. By aligning planning and budgeting frameworks, development outcomes can be tracked more effectively, allowing policymakers to make timely adjustments when needed.
Overall, the discussion reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that Papua’s development acceleration remains inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with national objectives. Through unified policies and strengthened inter-institutional cooperation, the government aims to transform development planning into tangible improvements in welfare and regional equity.
As coordination efforts continue, stakeholders expect that aligned policies will help Papua play a more significant role in national development while addressing long-standing challenges. The focus on sustainability, poverty reduction, and human development is seen as a critical foundation for achieving long-term progress in the region.