The United States, through USAID and Bappenas, launched a new initiative to accelerate development in Papua and West Papua, the Papua Collaborative Governance Indonesia Project or "USAID Kolaborasi," the US Embassy in Jakarta noted in a statement on Thursday.
According to the Embassy, USAID Kolaborasi is a five-year US$10-million fund initiative to support Indonesia’s Master Plan for the Acceleration of Development for Papua (RIPPP).
The plan aims to strengthen cooperation with development partners, businesses, and other stakeholders. The program will assist the provinces of Papua and West Papua to use Special Autonomy Funds for offering maximum benefits to the people of Papua and West Papua, according to the Embassy.
Main Secretary of Bappenas Taufik Hanafi stated that strengthening collaboration between the Government of Indonesia and USAID under Kolaborasi will play an important role in mobilizing program and funding resources to focus on achieving development goals in the RIPPP.
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USAID Indonesia Mission Director Jeff Cohen stated that along with Bappenas and local governments in Papua and West Papua, USAID Kolaborasi will improve the quality of public service delivery and improve the skills of local government agencies to oversee budget allocation and execution in addition to engaging with citizens in Papua and West Papua.
“This new collaboration with Bappenas demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Indonesian government in realizing its goal of a prosperous Papua region,” he remarked.
“USAID Kolaborasi promotes collaborative governance in Papua and West Papua by improving the capacity of local governments and the engagement of Papua's indigenous people in local development,” Cohen stated.
He remarked that the United States is committed to partnering with the Government of Indonesia to address important development challenges.
The USAID looks forward to expanding its close relationship with Bappenas and working with other local partners, such as Cendrawasih University and University of Papua, to improve the functioning and accountability of governance in Papua and West Papua, he explained.
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Suharto
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