Jayapura, Indonesia — The Papua Provincial Government, in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the Papua Development Acceleration Agency (BPP), SKALA and other stakeholders, held a meeting to strengthen institutional capacity and performance under Papua’s Special Autonomy policy on Thursday (Aug. 27) at Hotel Horizon Kotaraja in Jayapura.
The meeting focused on improving governance, coordination and cooperation in the implementation of Special Autonomy, with particular emphasis on ensuring that special authorities, planning, budgeting and oversight are carried out effectively and translate into tangible improvements in the welfare of Papua’s communities.
Representing the Governor of Papua and officially opening the meeting, Papua Regional Secretary’s Assistant for General Administration, Suzana D. Wanggai, S.Pd., M.SocSc, emphasized that Special Autonomy is not limited to financial support, but also encompasses the implementation of special authorities and institutional strengthening.
She said the implementation of Law No. 2 of 2021 and its implementing regulations must be supported by accountable planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
According to Suzana, such mechanisms are essential to ensure that government programs are measurable and provide tangible benefits for Indigenous Papuans.
“Every policy must address the needs of the community and ultimately lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the people,” she stressed.
Suzana also called on all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in implementing Special Autonomy as part of efforts to realize the vision of a “Bright Papua” — a Papua that is intelligent, prosperous and harmonious.
Meanwhile, SKALA Senior Manager Asa said the organization supports efforts to strengthen Special Autonomy governance, particularly through improving basic public services and reducing poverty.
According to Asa, the meeting provided an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the central and provincial governments, establish a common understanding and follow up on joint commitments to improve the governance of Special Autonomy in Papua.
The meeting’s organizing committee chair, Maurits Valentino Wyla Hege, S.STP., M.Tr.I.P., said participants included representatives from the Papua Provincial Government, the Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPR Papua), the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and relevant regional government agencies.
The forum also featured speakers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance. Discussions covered Special Autonomy policies, the implementation of special authorities, as well as the management and oversight of Special Autonomy funds.
“This forum is expected to produce solutions and concrete steps to strengthen synergy and the effectiveness of Special Autonomy implementation in Papua,” he said.
The meeting is expected to strengthen a common understanding among government institutions and stakeholders while establishing more coordinated measures to improve the implementation of Special Autonomy. Ultimately, the initiative is aimed at ensuring that Special Autonomy policies are measurable, accountable and increasingly responsive to the needs of the people of Papua.
