WAMENA – The Regional Office of the Ministry of Law in Papua has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intellectual property protection in Jayawijaya Regency, encompassing traditional cultural expressions, indigenous knowledge, genetic resources, and potential geographical indications. This initiative reflects Papua’s ongoing efforts to safeguard local identity while enhancing its value within national and international frameworks.
Head of the Papua Regional Office of the Ministry of Law, Anthonius Ayorbaba, stated that Baliem Coffee is currently the only coffee commodity in Papua to have obtained official Geographical Indication (GI) certification. This recognition positions Baliem Coffee as a flagship product with strong competitiveness and significant potential to support sustainable regional economic development and investment.
To further optimize the development of regional potential, local governments are encouraged to strengthen collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Such cooperation is considered strategic given the substantial resources required for regional research and development, as demonstrated by previous initiatives supporting agricultural commodities in other parts of Papua.
“Baliem Coffee already has an established market at the local, national, and international levels. With Geographical Indication protection, this commodity has the potential to become a sustainable source of local revenue for Jayawijaya Regency,” Ayorbaba said during a meeting in Wamena on Monday (8 December).
The Papua Regional Office of the Ministry of Law also expressed its readiness to support local governments in identifying, protecting, and developing additional sources of intellectual property–based economic potential. This approach is expected to strengthen governance, enhance legal certainty, and ensure that Papua’s unique resources deliver long-term benefits for local communities.
