JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, along with the Deputy Minister, Ahmad Riza Patria, received an audience from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) Indonesia Resident Mission at his office, Wednesday (May 6, 2026).

During the meeting, Minister Yandri stated that under President Prabowo Subianto's era, villages hold a strategic role as part of the 6th point of the Asta Cita (Eight Aspirations), which is "Building from the Village and from the Bottom-Up for Economic Equality and Poverty Eradication."

To this end, the Ministry has translated this vision into 12 "Build the Village" Action Programs, including Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDesa), Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDKMP), Thematic Villages, Export Villages, and Energy Resilience Villages.

"Importantly, in disadvantaged regions, there are still villages that require collaboration to accelerate development," said Minister Yandri.

Currently, the Ministry has established cooperation with international entities such as the World Bank to boost village development. This collaboration, according to Minister Yandri, focuses on a Sustainable Green Economy and Village Community Empowerment.

Minister Yandri invited the ADB to join efforts in building villages, noting that many rural areas have yet to be reached by community empowerment programs. "We are ready to collaborate because there are many village programs that can be aligned with ADB's initiatives," the Minister added.

Deputy Minister Riza Patria explained that out of 75,266 villages, approximately 10,000 are categorized as "disadvantaged," where basic needs such as electricity, education, and health have not yet been fully met. Therefore, he hopes ADB can collaborate with the Ministry to accelerate the elevation of "Disadvantaged" and "Very Disadvantaged" villages into "Developing" and "Advanced" status.

"We hope that the collaboration program with ADB will empower village communities so they can thrive and achieve prosperity," said Deputy Minister Riza.

Meanwhile, the Country Director of the ADB Indonesia Resident Mission, Bobur Alimov, expressed his gratitude for the invitation to contribute to rural development acceleration. He emphasized that ADB Indonesia places village community empowerment as one of its primary concerns.

Bobur Alimov stated that ADB Indonesia is ready to serve not only as a financial partner but as a development partner for the Ministry of Villages.

The meeting was attended by the ADB Indonesia delegation, including Ms. Kanya Sasradipoera (Deputy Country Director), Ms. Ninebeth Carandang (Country Operations Head), Mr. Eric Quincieu (Principal Water Resources Specialist), and Ms. Junko Sagara (Senior Water Resources Specialist).

Accompanying Minister Yandri and Deputy Minister Riza were Secretary General Taufik Madjid, Director General of PPDT Samsul Widodo, Director General of PEID Tabrani, Head of BPSDM Agustomi Masik, and Special Staff Fahad At-Tamimi.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT