For decades, Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua has remained a land of great potential—and equally great challenges. Rich in natural resources and home to vibrant indigenous cultures, the province has too often been marked by isolation, underdevelopment, and inequality.
But in recent years, a new wave of government policy has sought to change that reality—not through top-down mandates alone, but through an ambitious, locally grounded approach focused on nutrition, village development, economic empowerment, and infrastructure. A movement is underway to ensure that Papua is not just included in Indonesia’s growth story but is a central protagonist in it.
In 2025, this mission took a more concrete shape through a series of flagship initiatives and a high-level visit by central government officials to Central Papua. The visit marked more than ceremonial support; it reflected a long-term strategy to transform Papua from its roots: the village.
A Landmark Gathering in Nabire
The town of Nabire, the capital of Central Papua, became the center of national attention in August 2025. Tribal chiefs, religious leaders, village heads, youth groups, women’s cooperatives, and government officials from six Papuan provinces gathered both physically and virtually under the banner:
“Papua United, Indonesia Forward: Towards a Healthy Generation, Self-Reliant Economy, and Integrated Villages.”
This wasn’t just a slogan—it was a vision brought to life through programs like Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Kopdes), and Transformasi Ekonomi Kampung Terpadu (TEKAD).
Central to this gathering were national leaders: Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General (Ret.) M. Herindra, Village Minister Yandri Susanto, Cooperative and SMEs Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, and National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Dadan Hindayana. Their presence signified political will at the highest levels.
The message was clear: Papua is not an afterthought. It is a priority.
Nutrition as Nation-Building: MBG and Healthy Kitchens
A standout initiative in the government’s Papua roadmap is Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG)—a program that offers free nutritious meals to schoolchildren, pregnant mothers, and toddlers in Papua. But this is not charity—it’s strategy.
Poor nutrition has long plagued Papua, especially among children in remote areas. Stunting rates in some parts of the province have been alarmingly high, affecting children’s physical growth and cognitive development. MBG aims to combat this by delivering balanced, locally sourced meals, while also supporting local farmers and “mama-mama”—a term for Papuan women vendors and cooks.
By August 2025, 25% of MBG’s regional targets had been achieved in Papua. 101 “Healthy Kitchen” units (SPPGs) have been rolled out across six provinces, supported by both regional and national funding. These kitchens are not only feeding children but also empowering communities, employing local women, and sustaining micro-economies.
This approach blends nutrition, economic empowerment, and cultural respect—all in one pot, quite literally.
Villages First: Economic Transformation from the Ground Up
While MBG tackles the health of the next generation, TEKAD and Kopdes Merah Putih focus on the heart of rural life: economic independence.
Through Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Village Cooperatives), every village in Central Papua is now connected to a locally run, community-owned cooperative that facilitates business, savings, production, and resource management. These cooperatives are now the economic nerve centers of their villages.
Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, during his visit, applauded Central Papua’s success in becoming the first Papuan province to achieve 100% village cooperative coverage.
At the same time, the TEKAD program, funded through village transfer budgets, provides nearly IDR 6.5 trillion annually to support entrepreneurial ventures, infrastructure, and services at the grassroots level. Central Papua alone received over IDR 1 trillion in 2025, a significant increase over previous years.
Village Minister Yandri Susanto stressed the interconnectedness of these efforts:
“When MBG thrives, and when village cooperatives succeed, the people benefit. The economy grows from within, not from above.”
Data-Driven, People-Powered Development
The current approach to Papua’s development is data-driven and community-powered. Governor Meki Fritz Nawipa of Central Papua has emphasized mapping, planning, and budgeting in partnership with communities.
The government is currently rolling out:
1. Healthy kitchens in all eight districts of Central Papua
2. Bantuan Langsung Tunai (cash assistance) for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
3. Free medical check-ups and supplementary nutrition
4. Formation of over 1,045 local cooperatives in 2025
This system-wide mobilization ensures that interventions are not just present but effective—tailored to the real needs of real people.
Indigenous leaders such as Melkisedek Rumawi, a tribal elder in Nabire, expressed strong support. “Programs like MBG prepare our children for the future—they will grow healthy, smart, and ready to lead,” he said.
Infrastructure That Connects, Enables, and Uplifts
Parallel to social programs, Indonesia’s infrastructure push in Papua is one of the largest and most sustained in the nation’s history.
By 2025, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) had channeled over IDR 6.1 trillion to Papua for projects including:
1. Trans-Papua Roads: 3,534 kilometers built
2. Border Roads: Over 1,000 kilometers to enhance security and logistics
3. Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura: Connecting communities over the sea
4. Clean water access, sanitation, and housing improvements
Moreover, local Papuan contractors are being given priority through limited tenders for infrastructure packages under IDR 2.5 billion. This ensures that development is not only for Papuans but also by Papuans.
PUPR also supports training programs to build local expertise, with long-term plans to have more Papuan professionals leading public agencies and managing projects independently.
From Margins to Mainstream: The Power of Unity and Identity
The overarching narrative is not just about money or metrics—it’s about inclusion, dignity, and representation.
The government’s theme, “Papua Bersatu, Indonesia Maju” (United Papua, Forward Indonesia), reflects a philosophical shift. Rather than simply developing Papua as a region, the state is investing in Papua as a co-author of the national future.
In doing so, Indonesia acknowledges that no national progress is meaningful unless it is shared—and that no region can be left behind.
Challenges Remain, But Momentum Builds
Of course, challenges persist. Geographical isolation, political tensions, and logistical constraints still affect many remote areas of Papua. There is also a need for continuous dialogue with indigenous communities to ensure cultural preservation and local leadership in all aspects of development. Yet, the current momentum is hard to ignore.
Programs like MBG, Kopdes, and TEKAD represent more than policy—they are a social contract. They affirm the right of every Papuan child to eat well, every mother to access care, every village to grow sustainably, and every young person to dream big.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s commitment to Papua in 2025 is more than a political promise—it is a transformation in progress.
By focusing on nutrition, village cooperatives, inclusive economic development, and infrastructure, the government is reshaping the narrative of Papua from one of marginalization to one of empowerment.
This is a story still unfolding—but for the first time in generations, many Papuans feel it is their story to tell. And perhaps that is the most important development of all.