In an effort to complete preparations of their 2022 work plan, FORCLIME and the Regional Research and Development Agency (Balitbangda) of West Papua held a coordination meeting on 17 January 2022 at the office of Balitbangda in Manokwari, West Papua. The meeting was led by Prof Dr Charlie D. Heatubun, S.Hut., M.Si., FLS., the Head of Balitbangda, which is a member of FORCLIME’s Programme Steering Committee (PSC). During the meeting, the FORCLIME West Papua team reported all of its activities during 2021 and also invited input in relation to a joint work plan for 2022 based on the regional development needs of the relevant regions.

Various questions and queries were raised during the meeting in relation to the following issues, among others:
- Support for a knowledge and experience sharing meeting/workshop for Customary Forest and/or Customary Community Management with a focus on the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) Discussion Forum.
- Facilitation of synergizing between the provinces of Papua and Papua Barat through a joint meeting/workshop.
- Support for the strengthening of the Mangrove Center.
- Support for the completion of legislation that will specifically address mangrove management.
- Support for reviews of studies on sago, genetic mapping for a DNA Bank of Species Populations of Sago in Tanah Papua and Sago Product Management.
- Support for the magazine published by Balitbangda (Majalah Kasuari Inovasi)
- Support for biodiversity management through the management of community-based natural resources.

In addition, during the meeting, Prof Charlie also requested that FORCLIME should become a member of the Crown Jewel of Tanah Papua (Mahkota Permata Tanah Papua – MPTP) Area Management consortium. In response, FORCLIME accepted this invitation.

FORCLIME, as a part of the development partner in West Papua, supported the Provincial Government of West Papua in achieving their commitment to Sustainable Development through forest policy development, sustainable forest management, and human capacity development. This discussion between FORCLIME and Balitbangda will be a basis and input for FORCLIME to develop a 2022 work plan to support Balitbangda activities, in accordance with FORCLIME’s mandate.

For more information, please contact:
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior Adviser for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces