Press Releases Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food and Cenderawasih University Advance Papua Biodiversity Conservation through Scientific Research and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Jayapura, Papua, 24 June 2026 – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food and Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) are strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to support biodiversity conservation in Papua through a seminar titled “Birds of Paradise in Papua’s Production Landscapes: A Scientific and Collaborative Approach”, held in Jayapura.

The seminar was officially opened by Suzana Wanggai, Assistant III to the Papua Provincial Secretariat, representing the Governor of Papua. The event was also attended by Abdul Majid, Assistant II to the Jayapura City Regional Secretariat, representing the Mayor of Jayapura, alongside representatives from the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Papua), university leaders, academics, community representatives, and private sector participants. The strong participation from various stakeholders reflected the importance of cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding Papua’s rich biodiversity while supporting sustainable development.

In remarks delivered on behalf of the Governor of Papua, Assistant III Suzana Wanggai emphasized that biodiversity conservation must go hand in hand with Papua’s development agenda. She also expressed the Provincial Government’s appreciation to Cenderawasih University, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, and all parties involved in the research.

“Birds of Paradise are not only endemic wildlife but also a symbol of Papua’s identity. Protecting them means preserving Papua’s dignity, ecological values, and historical heritage. Development must not come at the expense of the environment. This is our shared challenge—to ensure that Papua’s progress is measured not only by physical development, but also by our ability to protect its natural environment and extraordinary biodiversity,” said Suzana.

She added that the scientific findings generated through the research hold significant strategic value and are expected to inform government policies and strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts across Papua.

“The Papua Provincial Government fully supports initiatives such as this, which align with Papua’s development vision and the Papua Cerdas agenda. We hope this research will benefit communities, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, and create broader opportunities for collaboration among government, academia, communities, and the private sector in conserving Papua’s biodiversity,” she added.

The seminar provided a platform for researchers and practitioners to exchange knowledge, experiences, and research findings on Papua’s biodiversity, particularly its endemic bird species, which hold significant ecological and cultural importance. Speakers from Cenderawasih University, BBKSDA Papua, and Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food shared perspectives on the importance of scientific research and collaborative approaches in advancing biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Basa T. Rumahorbo, M.Si., Head of the Biodiversity and Conservation Studies Centre Research Team at Cenderawasih University, explained that the research forms part of broader efforts to strengthen scientific data and understanding of Papua’s biodiversity.

“Papua is home to one of the world’s richest and most unique biodiversity landscapes, including numerous endemic bird species with significant ecological and cultural value for Papuan communities. Through this study, we seek to deepen our understanding of habitat conditions, bird species distribution, and the challenges involved in conserving Papua’s biodiversity,” said Dr. Basa.

The study underscores the importance of strengthening conservation efforts through scientific research, education, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of Papua’s endemic wildlife habitats. The findings and lessons generated are expected to contribute to the management of high conservation value areas and support long-term biodiversity protection.

Meanwhile, Dr. Haskarlianus Pasang, Head of Operations Sustainability at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, highlighted Papua’s critical role as one of Indonesia’s and the world’s biodiversity strongholds. With its exceptional species richness and ecosystems, Papua’s biodiversity must be safeguarded through scientific research, habitat protection, sound governance, and collaboration among stakeholders.

“Papua is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. However, this extraordinary natural wealth also faces increasing pressures, including climate change, deforestation, and governance challenges. Our collaborative research with Cenderawasih University not only contributes to scientific knowledge but is also expected to generate positive impacts for local communities, support responsible operational management, and strengthen the protection of species and their habitats,” said Haskarlianus.

He added that biodiversity surveys and scientific assessments provide an essential foundation for understanding species and habitats more comprehensively. The data and insights generated from the research are expected to strengthen environmental intelligence through talent development and conservation area management, while also enhancing sustainability intelligence to support decision-making that integrates environmental, social, and long-term sustainability considerations.

“Through collaboration among academia, government, communities, and the private sector, we hope the knowledge generated through this research can be translated into meaningful action. We believe this initiative will create lasting benefits for both the company and society while supporting the conservation of Papua’s endemic wildlife for future generations,” he concluded.

Through the seminar, stakeholders expressed their hope that the research findings and knowledge exchanged would contribute to stronger habitat protection, enhanced conservation programs, and greater public awareness of the importance of preserving Papua’s extraordinary biodiversity for future generations.

This initiative is also aligned with Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s Social and Environmental Policy, which promotes responsible business practices by integrating environmental, social, and long-term sustainability considerations into the company’s operations.