Pursuant to its establishment through the issuance of a Decree of the Governor of Southwest Papua last June, the Working Group for the Acceleration of Social Forestry (Pokja PPS) followed up with a coordination meeting that was held in order to develop strategic plans and share roles and responsibilities among the Working Group members. This was recently followed by a coordination meeting that was held on 31 October 2023 in Sorong City, Southwest Papua with the goal of preparing a work plan. The meeting was opened by the Senior Adviser to the Governor of Southwest Papua for Economics, Development and Finance, Mr. George Yarangga, A.Pi., M.M., and was attended by a number of development partners working in the province, in addition to the Pokja PPS members.

During the meeting, the Head of Environment, Forestry and Agriculture for Southwest Papua Province, Mr. Julian Kelly Kambu, ST., MSi., outlined the overall policy direction for the development of social forestry in Southwest Papua Province. Furthermore, the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Institutional Social Forestry Business, Mr. Danang Kuncara Sakti, S.Hut., ME., presented a number of business development policies that are being aimed at promoting the economic value of social forestry. This was followed up by the Head of Section II BPSKL Maluku Papua, Mrs. Lilian Komaling, S.Hut., M.Sc., who offered an explanation of the social forestry scheme.

The following work plans have been prepared by each Pokja PPS working unit: Accelerating Access to Social Forestry; Business and Partnership Development; Mentoring; and Advocacy, Communication, Monitoring and Reporting. These were subsequently compiled into a work plan document for the Southwest Papua Province Forestry Acceleration Working Group for activities that are set to take place during 2024.

For more information, please contact:
Nita Yohana, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Tanah Papua