JAYAPURA — The 2026 National Village Day at the Papua Province level was commemorated and held in Skouw Yambe Village, Muara Tami District, Jayapura City, through a joint ceremony at the Muara Tami District office grounds on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Papua Governor, represented by Triwarno Purnomo, the Governor's Expert Staff for Government, Law, and Politics, delivered the Governor's written remarks and emphasized that villages have now become the central point and main foundation of development in Papua Province. All development programs are being directed toward strengthening villages as the heart of regional development.

"The Papua Provincial Government places villages at the center of development. Village funds, as well as the Red and White Village Cooperative, must be managed collaboratively to support the vision of an advanced, prosperous, and harmonious Papua," he said.

The Governor also urged that village funds and special autonomy funds be used in a targeted, transparent, and accountable manner to improve the quality of life of village communities, ranging from road infrastructure development, clean water provision, and proper schools, to community economic empowerment.

According to him, village governments have a strategic role because they deal directly with communities that face diverse social, cultural, and economic potentials and challenges. Therefore, support from all parties, including state officials and village facilitators, is greatly needed so that villages can become strong and self-reliant.

During the joint ceremony for National Village Day 2026, the launch of the 2026 National Village Day competition was also carried out. In addition to the launch, a series of activities was held, including social actions such as blood donation drives, community service activities, and various competitions expected to encourage innovation, participation, and the competitiveness of village communities.

The Governor of Papua expressed his highest appreciation and gratitude to the Papua Provincial Community and Village Empowerment Office, the Jayapura Community and Village Empowerment Office, village facilitators, and all village communities for the implementation of the 2026 National Village Day at the Papua Province level.

"On behalf of the Papua Provincial Government, the Governor conveys his gratitude and appreciation for the implementation of National Village Day 2026, which we can carry out together today. This series of activities is expected to inspire efforts to encourage villages that are empowered, independent, and sustainable."

Closing the Governor's remarks, Triwarno invited all elements of society to work together to strengthen villages as the main foundation for realizing an advanced and prosperous Papua.

"Happy National Village Day 2026. Build the village, build Indonesia. Villages at the forefront of an advanced Indonesia," he concluded.

The 2026 National Village Day ceremony and launch were attended by representatives of regional government agencies within the Papua Provincial Government, officials from the Jayapura City Government, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police, village advisors, and village heads. ***