RRI.CO.ID, Padang - The National Defense Council (DPN) held a discussion forum in Padang, West Sumatra, Wednesday, 11 February 2026. The discussion took a theme “Strategy for Accelerating Post-Natural Disaster Economic Recovery in West Sumatra through Synergy of National Defense Policies.”

The Deputy for Geoeconomics of the National Defense Council (DPN), Dr. Yayat Ruyat, led the discussion. In his opening remarks, the Deputy underscored the importance of this forum as a strategic platform for formulating integrated policies to accelerate regional economic recovery while strengthening regional-based national resilience.

In addition, Yayat said that West Sumatra has great economic potential as well as a high level of disaster vulnerability, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

"From a national defense perspective, natural disasters are non-military threats that can have a significant impact on the economic, social, and security stability of the region," he said.

Therefore, Yayat mentioned that accelerating post-disaster economic recovery requires a comprehensive approach through strengthening disaster-resilient strategic infrastructure, empowering the local economy, and increasing institutional capacity and cross-sector coordination.

In addition to discussion forum, the series of activities also included working visits and the delivery of aid to a number of disaster-affected locations and strategic sites in West Sumatra, including Batang Anai State Elementary School 05, Batang Kabung Lubuk Minturun State Elementary School 49, the Batang Anai Temporary Shelter, Nagari Salareh Aia in Agam Regency, the Tanah Datar area, as well as meetings with local government officials and representatives of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri).

The entire series of activities carried out as part of a comprehensive effort to obtain direct information of the conditions on the ground. In fact, the agenda is a step toward formulating concrete policy solutions to accelerate the economic recovery of West Sumatra and even to foster regional-based national resilience. (AF)