Ministers Praise DPD RI Awards as a Platform for Regional Development

Ministers from the Red and White Cabinet praised the 2026 DPD RI Awards. They said the event showed that many people working at local level were striving to advance Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said the nominees had presented many creative ideas, which he considered valuable and worth developing.

“There is a saying that if we want to progress, we need imagination, innovation, a vision and mission, aspirations and hopes. Without all of these, we remain ordinary,” he said at the DPD RI Awards ceremony in Jakarta on Monday (9 November 2026).

He said the awards provided a platform for developing human resources in the regions.

“The DPD RI Awards provide a platform for many parties, and help foster innovation and concern among the public, as well as improve human resources in the regions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto said the awards showed that many young figures were working towards food self-sufficiency. He said the Independent Food Village Movement category demonstrated that rural communities should not be underestimated.

“It proves that people from villages should no longer be looked down on. Innovation, bold initiatives and commitment to ensuring food security are important for this republic. This is in line with the Ministry of Villages,” he said.

Fadli Zon said the DPD RI Awards offered inspiration to people seeking to preserve culture.

“With a platform such as the DPD RI Awards, we can inspire many people, especially cultural enthusiasts and activists in the regions, to love and appreciate local culture,” he said.

“We have found many highly inspiring conservationists in the regions who are working to advance their areas, especially those where cultures are at risk of disappearing,” he said.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti also expressed his appreciation. He said the DPD RI Awards showed that there were many education pioneers in communities.

“The winner of the Non-formal Education Innovation category is a pioneer, a trailblazer and a fighter, demonstrating heroism in education,” he said.

Abdul Mu’ti said the nominees supported the government’s goal of providing quality education for all.

“With these awards, the whole community can work with us to provide quality education for all, through universal participation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi (Arifah) noted that there was a woman nominee in every category. She said women were now drivers of development.

“Among all the nominees, there is a woman in every category. This means women are not only beneficiaries of development, but also its driving force,” she said.

The DPD RI Awards

The 2026 DPD RI Awards comprise four categories: Independent Food Village Movement; Non-formal Education/Out-of-school Education Innovator; Regional Culture Preserver; and Health Technology Innovator.

This year’s DPD RI Awards panel of experts comprises Minister of Culture Fadli Zon; National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Arif Satria; Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Commission II Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi; DPD RI member Agustin Teras Narang; and University of Indonesia Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences professor Agustino Zulys.

The 2026 DPD RI Awards are presented by the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) in partnership with detikcom, with support from PT Pertamina (Persero), Bank Mandiri, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.