Indonesia Invites ADB to Accelerate Rural Development and Reduce Poverty

RRI.CO.Id, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has invited the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to foster collaboration in accelerating rural development and poverty reduction across the country. The invitation was delivered during a meeting between Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto and ADB Indonesia Resident Mission representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Minister Yandri said villages now hold a strategic role under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. He noted that rural development is included in the sixth priority of the President’s Asta Cita agenda, focusing on equitable economic growth and poverty eradication.

To implement the policy, the ministry has launched 12 flagship rural development programs. These include village-owned enterprises, Red and White Village Cooperatives, thematic villages, export villages, and energy-resilient villages.

“Most importantly, in disadvantaged regions there are still villages that need collaboration for faster development,” Yandri said. He added that partnerships are essential to ensure development reaches underserved communities.

The ministry has already established cooperation with international institutions, including the World Bank, to support village development. According to Yandri, the partnerships focus on sustainable green economy initiatives and community empowerment.

He also invited ADB to join efforts in expanding development programs to villages that have yet to receive adequate empowerment support. “We are ready to collaborate because many village programs can be developed together with ADB,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Ahmad Riza Patria, said that out of Indonesia’s 75,266 villages, around 10,000 are still categorized as disadvantaged. Many of them, he said, continue to face limited access to electricity, education, and healthcare services.

ADB Indonesia Country Director Bobur Alimov welcomed the proposal and said the institution is ready to contribute more actively. “ADB Indonesia is prepared to become not only a financial partner, but also a development partner for the ministry,” Alimov said.