JAYAPURA – Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri has reaffirmed the Papua Provincial Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the central government to accelerate infrastructure development and regional development across Papua.

Fakhiri made the statement during his remarks at the Papua Infrastructure and Regional Development Coordination Meeting, attended by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing, governors, regents and mayors from across Papua, as well as representatives of relevant ministries and government agencies. The meeting was held at the Papua Governor’s Office, Jayapura, on Friday (Sept. 18).

Fakhiri said the coordination meeting was a strategic opportunity to strengthen coordination, align perspectives, and build a shared commitment between the central and regional governments in determining the direction of infrastructure and regional development across Papua.

According to Fakhiri, the presence of the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development and other central government officials demonstrated the government’s attention to and commitment to supporting accelerated development in Papua.

“The presence of the Coordinating Minister and his delegation is a great honor and tangible evidence of the central government’s attention to accelerating development in Papua,” Fakhiri said.

He explained that development in Papua faces complex challenges, particularly following the establishment of several new autonomous regions. This situation requires stronger coordination and synergy between the central government and all regional governments to ensure that development is implemented in an integrated, targeted and sustainable manner.

On the occasion, Fakhiri outlined seven strategic development issues in Papua that require joint attention.

These issues include regional disparities and poverty; access to and the quality of basic services; protection of customary land rights and the living spaces of Indigenous communities; limited connectivity; disaster risks; the development of regional growth centers; and the equitable distribution of the benefits of economic development.

To address these challenges, the Papua Provincial Government continues to promote accelerated connectivity development as one of its priorities, with the aim of opening up isolated areas while strengthening connections between regions. 

“If development in Papua can be accelerated and land transportation routes can be completed soon, this will help all our brothers and sisters living in remote and inland areas,” Fakhiri said in closing. ***