Southwest Papua Governor invites Environment Minister to Papeda Summit 2026
Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu has invited Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat to attend the Papeda Summit 2026, which will take place in Sorong, Southwest Papua, from 2–4 September 2026.
The invitation was conveyed by Elisa during a meeting with Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono at the Deputy Environment Minister’s Office on Monday (24/8). Elisa was accompanied by the Head of the Southwest Papua Environmental Agency and several representatives of civil society organisations involved in organising the Papeda Summit 2026.
“We are here to invite the Environment Minister. If he is willing, we hope for the presence of the Minister or the Deputy Minister,” said Elisa in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Elisa, the Papeda Summit serves as a space to strengthen collaboration between the government, civil society and various parties in discussing sustainable development in Tanah Papua, particularly environmental protection and improving community welfare.
She considers the presence of the central government in the forum important to reassure the Papuan people that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
“The Minister’s presence will also provide assurance to the Papuan people that it is our shared responsibility to protect our environment, for the sustainability of our children and grandchildren,” she said.
Therefore, efforts to protect Papua’s forests and seas require a shared commitment between the central government, regional governments, communities and other stakeholders.
“Environmental issues are an extraordinary topic at the moment. Many people want to talk about the environment. In Papua, we also urge people to protect the forests and the environment,” she said.
However, Elisa stressed that environmental protection must go hand in hand with improving community welfare. According to her, communities that protect forests and seas must also receive proper economic benefits from these efforts.
“The people must also live better lives. The forests are good, the seas are beautiful, but their lives must not be far from what we hope for,” she said.
She hopes the Papeda Summit can become a space to discuss policies that ensure communities benefit from efforts to protect natural resources.
“At this summit meeting, perhaps the government can explain its policies so that the people who protect the forests and seas can have better lives in the future,” said Elisa.
“Regarding the invitation, I will convey it to the Minister. We will inform you as soon as possible,” said Diaz.
The Papeda Summit 2026 is a forum that brings together the government, civil society, academics, business actors, communities and various stakeholders to discuss sustainable development in Tanah Papua.
In addition to the Environment Minister, the Papeda Summit organising committee has also invited a number of central government officials. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has expressed his willingness to attend and serve as a speaker.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki have also expressed their willingness to attend and speak at the forum.
The presence of central government officials is expected to strengthen dialogue on the direction of development in Tanah Papua, including natural resource management, environmental protection, strengthening the community economy, and development that takes ecological sustainability into account.
The Papeda Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place over three days from 2–4 September 2026 in Sorong, Southwest Papua, with Southwest Papua serving as the host.