Jayapura – West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi emphasized the importance of Papuan development based on the culture, nature, and local wisdom of indigenous communities.
Dedi Mulyadi made this statement while attending the 2026 Papua Strategic Analysis (APS) III Conference in Jayapura City, Papua, on Friday (May 29, 2026).
At the conference, titled “Ethnoscience-Based Papuan Development Innovation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Discourse, Actors, and the Future of Papuan Development within a Local Wisdom Framework,” Dedi Mulyadi attended along with five regents and one mayor from West Java.
In his presentation, Dedi emphasized that development in Papua must not erase the identity of indigenous Papuans or disrupt the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
“Papua is Indonesia’s last paradise. Development must not make Papuans foreigners in their own land,” said Dedi Mulyadi.
He stated that development design in Papua needs to preserve the distinctive characteristics of local architecture, the use of natural materials, and the strengthening of the indigenous economy to ensure competitiveness amidst the influx of modern investment.
He believes a culture-based development approach is crucial to ensure that economic progress does not marginalize indigenous Papuans as owners of land and living space.
After attending the conference, Dedi Mulyadi shopped for Papuan souvenirs at booths owned by Papuan women and Papuan youth in the Papua Youth Kreatif area in Abepura, Abepura District, Jayapura City, where the conference was held.
He purchased several Papuan craft products, including noken (a traditional Javanese noken), carved statues, tifa (a traditional Javanese trumpet), books, Papuan batik cloth, and even a leather wallet.
Dedi’s visit to the Papuan MSME booth was met with enthusiasm by the vendors. One Papuan accessories seller, Mama Tresya Ramela, expressed her delight at the attention and purchase of her products.
“We are very grateful for your visit. Even though we didn’t put them on the table, he saw them. Thank you very much for buying our accessories,” Tresya said.
She hopes that the businesses of Papuan women will continue to receive attention so that local craft products can become more well-known and sell well.
The treasurer of the Onomi Inspire Papua Global Foundation, Andriana Agavitas Pincesiam, also expressed her appreciation for Dedi Mulyadi’s visit to the MSME booth supported by their foundation.
According to Andriana, the foundation mentors at least eight Papuan MSMEs who produce traditional carvings, tifa (traditional Javanese drums), Papuan batik cloth, and various other local crafts.
“We are very pleased that you have purchased our products,” she said.
She hopes that in the future, the committee will provide a dedicated time so that guests can see the Papuan MSME products more thoroughly without having to jostle with the attendants.
“Sometimes, only the large products are visible, while the smaller ones don’t get a chance to be seen because so many people are crowding around them,” she said.
