FBMW 2025 closed, aims to continue cooperation with Seychelles

The 10^th Biak Munara Wampasi Festival (FBMW) in 2025 was officially closed on July 4, 2025, in a lively ceremony held at the Manuhua Air Force Base Hangar in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province.

FBMW 2025 is part of the Tourism Ministry's Karisma Event Nusantara 2025 program, which curates a list of regional cultural festivals for this year.

The closing of the activity was carried out virtually by Biak Numfor Deputy Regent Jimmy Carter Kapisa, and its also attended by other members of the Biak Numfor Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkompimda), heads of the Biak Numfor Regency Government Offices, and officials of region-owned enterprises and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Kapisa emphasized that FBMW is the entry point as well as the key to realizing Biak Numfor to become one of the leading tourist destinations in Papua. He noted that the festival's importance for developing the creativity of Biak Numfor's youth so globalization and modernization does not dominate over their love for the cultural heritage from their ancestors.

"The meaning of FBMW is very important in shaping the character and identity of our people. Next year, we will encourage the implementation of FBMW on an international scale, including establishing cooperation with the Republic of Seychelles which has been initiated by the direct attendance of the Seychelles Ambassador [to Indonesia] at this activity," he said.

Furthermore, Jimmy emphasized that FBMW promotion must be carried out seriously so that its impact will spread further. He said that the festival must be inclusive and support downstream industry development, creating impactful economic value as a source of locally-generated revenue (PAD) that can provide community welfare and become a means of cultural revitalization.

"Biak Numfor is ready to become an icon of the marine tourism industry. Hopefully, the cooperation and collaboration that have been developed can continue to be maintained and produce positive energy to realize a prosperous, inclusive, competitive, and sustainable Biak Numfor," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Biak Numfor Tourism Office Head Onny Dangeubun highlighted FBMW 2025's theme, "Special Biak Numfor Provides Meaning", with a focus on inclusivity, creation of new values, and sustainability.

"This year's FBMW is functionally able to assist he downstream industry development of MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) and revitalization of Biak culture as a special attraction." Onny explained. "All social, economic, cultural and other activities are packaged in an interesting and economically profitable concept as the main objective of FBMW."

The Biak Numfor Regency Government hopes that FBWM could become an annual international agenda that provides a sustainable boost for the Indonesian tourism sector and the local economy.