26 February 2026
The event is being organized by the World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, with support from several partner organizations.
The discussion will focus on the grave human rights and environmental implications of Indonesia’s Merauke National Strategic Project in South Papua Province, also known as the Merauke Food and Energy Development Zone, and the operations of the Grasberg Mine, the world’s largest combined copper and gold mine.
In central Papua, the trade of metals is producing severe environmental harm. The operations of the Grasberg Mine - the world’s largest combined copper and gold mine by value and output - have caused widespread deforestation and severe river pollution, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of toxic mining waste dumped into local rivers every day.
For the Indigenous West Papuan communities living downstream, the consequences are severe. Rivers once central to fishing and transport have been choked with sediment. Forests they relied on for hunting have vanished under mounds of waste. People suffer from skin diseases and serious health conditions due to heavy metal contamination in the water they use daily for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Designated in 2023 as a Special Economic Zone by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Merauke Food and Energy Development Zone spans approximately two million hectares—an area nearly half the size of Switzerland—within Merauke Regency, which covers 4.5 million hectares in total.
The project includes large-scale sugarcane plantations, a sugar factory, a bioethanol development initiative, and the creation of one million hectares of new rice fields. If fully implemented, it risks becoming the largest deforestation project in the world.
The project area overlaps with 858 hectares of natural forests and peatlands that support unique biodiversity, some found nowhere else on earth. The region is also home to thousands of Indigenous West Papuans whose customary lands and livelihoods are directly affected.
Land clearing began in May 2024 and has already resulted in the destruction of customary forests and critical ecosystems. Peatland degradation and forest loss are expected to significantly increase carbon emissions, contributing to global climate change while degrading local air quality.
In central Papua, the trade of metals from the Grasberg Mine is producing severe environmental harm through widespread deforestation and river pollution, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of toxic mining waste dumped into local rivers every day. For the Indigenous West Papuan communities living downstream, the consequences are severe. Rivers once central to fishing and transport have been choked with sediment. Forests they relied on for hunting have vanished under mounds of waste. People suffer from skin diseases and serious health conditions due to heavy metal contamination in the water they use daily for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
The side event will raise awareness of the massive scale of the Merauke National Strategic Project and the human rights and environmental impacts at local and global levels of the Project and the Mining activites
Speakers will urge the government of Indonesia to immediately suspend the project pending a comprehensive re-evaluation to ensure compliance with its international human rights and environmental obligations.
The event will also call for full recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Merauke Regency under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and advocate for the return of customary lands to Indigenous communities and the restoration of forests, peatlands, swamps and rivers that have been damaged or destroyed.
Learn more about the WCC work on "Human dignity and rights"
WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples Network
“In the Special Papua Development Planning Forum, we have considered key infrastructure needs, including ports, crucial bridges, and road repairs. Without this, harvests and logistics could be disrupted,” he said in Jakarta, citing a meeting with Merauke District Head Yoseph B. Gebze.
He added that the forum should also address infrastructure in border areas and strategic zones, such as coastal defense posts, to strengthen national security.
Pambudy emphasized that infrastructure development must integrate with border reinforcement and regional security, alongside incorporating national priority programs into Merauke’s development plans.
“Central programs, such as fishing village initiatives, should become integral to Merauke’s development. Urgent projects must come first, followed by subsequent stages,” the minister said.
Merauke District Head Yoseph B. Gebze noted Merauke’s position as a border area and Indonesia’s “eastern gateway” makes defense, connectivity, and economic growth top priorities.
“The four regional development focuses are improving human resources, optimizing natural resource management, enhancing community welfare, and aligning local planning with national and provincial policies,” he said.
As a follow-up, technical coordination will be strengthened to ensure Merauke’s development priorities are met, covering infrastructure, basic services, and border area development.
The initiative aims to support food security and promote growth across eastern Indonesia through targeted and integrated development efforts.
Related news: Papua regions receive first-quarter 2026 special autonomy funds
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Translator: M.Baqir IA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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