JAYAPURA - President Joko Widodo assessed that the Papuan youth have made a big leap of progress for their own region.

This can be seen from the Papua Street Carnival performance in the Dok II Beach area, Jayapura City, Papua, Friday (7/7/2023), which features cultural attractions, parades and dances from 7 indigenous territories.

The national event was opened and witnessed directly by President Jokowi, accompanied by a number of ministers.

"Young Papuans have made a big leap of progress. The creative industry in the Land of Papua has great potential and strength."

"It's just that it needs to be prepared in advance, organized, packaged and branded properly so that better event products appear. Especially if it is held at night," Jokowi said on the sidelines of the activity which was attended by thousands of residents of Jayapura City and its surroundings.

The President added, Papua Street Carnival will later become the forerunner of the emergence of the creative industry in the Land of Papua because it is expected to continue and be managed by the region itself.

"This is the first event and is still being assisted by the Central Government. In the future, provincial, city and regency governments are expected to quickly take over because the potential is huge," hoped Jokowi.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said Papua Street Carnival is the first creative economy event in the land of Papua. This is certainly a positive historical record for the development of tourism and the creative economy of Papua.

"Papua Street Carnival is a forum for creative economy actors, a reflection of young people to advance Papua. And the creations are extraordinary, massive, festive, and it will go international," he said.

Minister Sandi hopes that the Papua Street Carnival will be held every year. He is optimistic that with certain collaborations, the creative industry in Papua will be more advanced and have a positive impact on the Papuan people and become the spotlight of the world

"I am very confident that Papua can become an icon of a new region, an interesting event in the eyes of the world," he said.

From the observation of journalists, the President's arrival at the location of the event was greeted with Papuan traditional dances.

The Head of State then reviewed the Papua Youth Creative Hub exhibition which featured the creations of young Papuans. After that, the President opened the Papua Street Carnival followed by a cultural parade and traditional dances. ***