Promoting the Protection of Indigenous People’s Rights, Forest and Marine Ecosystems, and Indigenous Economic Empowerment in RPJMD: A Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Papua and the Maluku Islands are regions with extraordinary ecological wealth. Papua, for instance, holds 32.39 million hectares of forest, serving as Indonesia’s last tropical forest stronghold, while the Maluku Islands encompass approximately 4.8 million hectares of forest. Additionally, the waters in these regions possess the highest fishery resource potential in Indonesia and significantly contribute to the national marine and fisheries sector. However, threats such as deforestation, land encroachment, and uncontrolled exploitation of marine resources present significant challenges. Therefore, integrating environmental protection into the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) is a strategic step to not only preserve ecosystems but also ensure that local communities can continue to benefit sustainably from natural resources.

The preparation of the RPJMD is a follow-up to the Long-Term Development Plan (RPJP), which serves as a framework for planning a region’s long-term development over a 20-year period. The RPJMD, prepared for the next five years, must align with the vision and mission of the RPJP while adapting to the dynamics and challenges at the regional level.

In the context of national development, the RPJMD is closely linked to key government programs related to food and energy security. The Indonesian government has designated food security as one of the top priorities in long-term development, in line with the need to sustainably manage natural resources and ensure adequate food supply for the population. Similarly, the energy sector—particularly renewable energy—has become a key agenda in the RPJMD, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy sustainability at the regional level.

Furthermore, the RPJMD’s development must be coordinated with the Regional Spatial Planning (RTRW) policy, which regulates land use in a particular region. The integration of the RPJMD and RTRW is essential, as effective spatial planning provides a foundation for sustainable development while preventing uncontrolled land conversion that could harm ecosystems, especially in resource-rich areas like Papua and the Maluku Islands.

Considering the close relationship between the RPJP, RPJMD, and RTRW, and supporting national policies on food security, energy, and ecosystem protection, the RPJMD can serve as a balanced and holistic development plan to secure a sustainable future for these regions.

A Technical Guidance (Bimtek) on Preparing the 2025 RPJMD for Papua and the Maluku Islands was held with the participation of various stakeholders, including the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), the Environmental Agency (DLH), Regional Government Agencies (OPD), and other partners. This activity underscored the importance of incorporating environmental protection into regional development plans to achieve sustainable community welfare.

Moreover, the indigenous economy must also be an integral part of this planning process, ensuring that development not only preserves the environment but also strengthens livelihoods based on sustainably managed natural resources by local communities. The development of community-based economies, such as the processing of non-timber forest products, sustainable fisheries, and indigenous-based ecotourism, presents opportunities that should be integrated into regional policies.

The event, held over two days from March 13 to 14, 2025, was attended by representatives from four provinces—Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, and Maluku—and 14 districts: Merauke, Boven Digoel, Sarmi, Jayapura, Yapen, Nabire, South Sorong, Sorong, Kaimana, South Manokwari, East Seram, Aru Islands, Central Maluku, and Ambon City.

EcoNusa participated in the RPJMD development process to help ensure that environmental protection and indigenous rights are integral to regional development policies. Papua and the Maluku Islands possess unique ecosystems and natural wealth that serve as the primary source of livelihood for indigenous communities. However, the threats of unsustainable resource exploitation, land conversion, and economic policies that neglect local communities’ interests can jeopardize both ecological balance and indigenous community welfare.

As an organization focused on strengthening indigenous community capacity and conserving natural resources, EcoNusa advocates for an RPJMD that reflects the protection of indigenous rights and ensures that economic models are developed on a community scale. A major challenge is ensuring that indigenous communities are not merely spectators in development but are active participants and key stakeholders in managing natural resources and their local economies.

In his speech, Bustar Maitar, CEO of the EcoNusa Foundation, reaffirmed EcoNusa’s commitment to supporting the preparation of an RPJMD that protects forests, oceans, and indigenous community welfare.

“The RPJMD should not only serve as a tool for accommodating economic development but also ensure environmental sustainability and local community welfare. Protecting forests and oceans is not only about conservation but also about investing in future generations,” said Bustar Maitar.

Synchronizing the RPJMD with national policies, such as Indonesia’s Vision 2045 and the Manokwari Declaration, is crucial to preserving 70% of the forest area and ensuring low-carbon development policies that support indigenous communities and local ecosystems. One of the key issues discussed in the technical guidance was the potential for a green economy and the economic value of carbon as alternative economic development strategies for Papua and Maluku. With extensive intact forests, carbon trading schemes could provide incentives for local governments and indigenous communities to maintain forest preservation.

“The economic value of carbon is not just about numbers, but about ensuring that the benefits are genuinely returned to the indigenous communities that have safeguarded these forests for centuries,” said Riko Wahyudi from the University of Indonesia’s Climate Change Research Center (RCCC-UI).

The integration of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS) into the RPJMD is essential to thoroughly assess the environmental impact of every development policy. Moreover, recognizing indigenous rights in resource management must be embedded in regional policies to ensure access and sustainable eco-based economic growth. Conservation-based programs such as carbon trading, ecotourism, and non-timber forest product management should also be promoted as new sources of economic growth.

The Technical Guidance on Preparing the 2025 RPJMD for Papua and the Maluku Islands marks an important step toward strengthening a development agenda based on environmental sustainability and community welfare. With joint commitments from local governments and various stakeholders, the RPJMD can become a development plan that not only targets economic growth but also protects forests and oceans as valuable legacies for future generations.