Jayapura – The government continues to strengthen its commitment to protecting the rights of indigenous communities in Papua by accelerating the mapping and certification process for customary land. This step is part of an effort to provide legal certainty regarding customary land ownership while simultaneously safeguarding the rights of indigenous Papuans.
The Papua Province Regional Office (Kanwil) of the National Land Agency (BPN) is pushing for the acceleration of customary land mapping in several regions, including the provinces of Highlands, Central Papua, and South Papua. This program is a follow-up to an agreement between the Papua BPN Regional Office and the regional government to expedite the customary land certification process.
The Head of the Papua BPN Regional Office, Roy Wayoi, stated that accelerating customary land certification is a critical priority because the majority of Papua’s land is owned by indigenous communities.
“This aligns with the agreement between the Papua National Land Agency (BPN) Regional Office and the regional government in November 2025 regarding the acceleration of customary land certification in Papua,” said Roy Wayoi on the sidelines of a gathering of indigenous peoples (ondoafi) and tribal chiefs across Papua Province in Jayapura.
According to him, customary land mapping and certification are strategic steps to ensure that customary land ownership is officially recorded, thus providing legal certainty for the community.
“Most of the land in Papua belongs to indigenous peoples, so clear data regarding ownership of this customary land is necessary,” he explained.
He added that having accurate data on customary land will help the government implement various land registration programs more effectively and effectively.
In addition to providing legal certainty, the customary land certification process also strengthens state recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples. The government, Roy said, is committed to ensuring that customary land remains an important part of the identity and sustainability of the Papuan people’s lives.
Roy also hopes that the support of indigenous peoples (ondoafi) and tribal chiefs throughout Papua will strengthen the synergy between the government and indigenous communities in the customary land mapping process.
“We hope for understanding and synchronization between local governments and traditional leaders so that customary land mapping can be implemented in all regencies in Papua,” he said.
By accelerating customary land certification, the government emphasizes that protecting Papua’s indigenous peoples remains a priority. This program also demonstrates the state’s commitment to ensuring that customary lands are maintained, protected, and provide benefits for future generations of Papuans.