Enviro News News, Boyolali — The Indonesian government is accelerating the role of villages as the frontline of national waste management and climate mitigation as part of the implementation of Asta Cita 6, a key development agenda of President Prabowo Subianto that emphasizes inclusive growth from the grassroots.
Speaking at the National Village Day 2026 celebration in Butuh Village, Boyolali Regency, on January 15, Vice Minister of Environment and Deputy Head of the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency, Diaz Hendropriyono, underlined the strategic importance of villages in strengthening Indonesia’s waste governance system and climate resilience.
He stated that village-level innovation in waste management has become a critical benchmark in assessing regional environmental performance, particularly in the evaluation of the national Adipura environmental award. According to him, cleanliness standards at the village level directly influence environmental achievements at the district and provincial levels.
Diaz urged village administrations across the country to enhance creativity and innovation in managing waste as part of sustainable rural development. He emphasized that waste management is no longer a peripheral issue but a core component of public services and climate mitigation efforts.
As part of the event, the ministry presented awards to the winners of the Village Waste Management Innovation Competition. Gemawang Village in Semarang Regency, Central Java, secured first place, followed by Kertayasa Village in Kuningan Regency, West Java, and Gulingan Village in Badung Regency, Bali. The winning villages were recognized for applying circular economy principles and zero-waste practices at the community level.
Diaz expressed hope that the award-winning villages would serve as national benchmarks and inspire other villages to adopt sustainable waste management systems. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting villages in implementing environmentally sound development aligned with national priorities.
During the same occasion, the ministry also received recognition for its Desa Garda Iklim Nasional program, an initiative that empowers villages and local communities to lead climate adaptation and mitigation actions. The award was presented by the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration.
The National Village Day 2026 event, held from January 10 to 15, brought together ministers, deputy ministers, regional leaders, and stakeholders to strengthen cross-sector collaboration in environmental protection and sustainable development. (*)
