Jakarta, June 3, 2025 — Tension abruptly filled the room during the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo when a group of Greenpeace activists, accompanied by four young Papuans, staged a peaceful protest during a speech by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arief Havas Oegroseno, on Tuesday (3/6).
Held at the Pullman Hotel in Jakarta, the activists unfurled large banners reading “Nickel Mines Destroy Lives” and “Save Raja Ampat from Nickel Mining” in front of international delegates and key stakeholders in the critical minerals industry. The demonstration immediately drew the attention of forum participants from around the world.
In a written statement, Greenpeace Indonesia explained that the action was a response to the looming threat posed by nickel mining to the environment and the rights of Indigenous Papuan communities, particularly in the Raja Ampat region — an area renowned for having the highest marine biodiversity on the planet.
“We want to remind the world that Papua is not an empty land. There is life, culture, and nature that must be protected, not exploited,” said one of the Papuan youth activists involved in the protest.
The forum, organized by the Indonesian government, aims to promote the country’s critical mineral potential to global investors. However, the protest highlighted another dimension of mining investment — one that often leads to ecological damage and social conflict at the local level.
Hotel security attempted to defuse the situation, but the activists maintained a peaceful stance and eventually exited the room after delivering their message.
As of this report, there has been no official response from the event organizers regarding the incident.
