Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the United Nations Economic and Social Council Forum, 13 July 2021, at the Merdeka Palace, Special Capital Region of Jakarta

Your Excellency,

We have less than nine years left to achieve the SDGs in the year 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world has made it more difficult for us to achieve the SDGs.

In fact, the progress we have made has been reduced by the pandemic. At the global level, at least 255 million people have lost their job, 110 million people have fallen back into poverty, and 83-112 million people are on the brink of starvation and malnutrition.

In these tough times, business cannot continue as usual. Cooperation and solidarity must be strengthened and innovation must be improved. No country can make progress until all countries make progress. Therefore, allow me to point out several points.

First, we must bring the world to be immediately free from the pandemic. Vaccination is a hope for the world to immediately escape this health crisis. Equal access to vaccine must be guaranteed; yet, as of today, a huge disparity in vaccine access remains. Vaccine as global public goods must not remain a slogan.

Indonesia is pushing for equal access to vaccine for all, including dose sharing through COVAX Facilities. (This includes) fulfilling multilateral vaccine funding needs, increasing global vaccine production, including through TRIPS Waiver, strengthening global vaccine supply chain, including by removing hindrances in export and vaccine raw material (procurement), as well as increasing vaccine diversification and production volume, including in developing countries.

Second, we must pay more attention to and assistance for vulnerable groups affected by the economic slowdown. All levels of society are affected by the pandemic, especially the vulnerable groups.

Therefore, social security and protection are an important part of our endeavors to bounce back from the pandemic. In Indonesia, we have set aside a budget of US$28.5 billion for social aids. No fewer than 9.8 million units of micro business have received aids to keep their businesses afloat.

Third, global economy must rebound together. Several countries have seen a positive growth. However, positive growth would only bring benefits if it occurred at the same time (in the world). Global economy must begin to move together without compromising health aspect.

We must speed up economic recovery by prioritizing health and sustainable development. Moving forward, we must push for investment in a resilient, just, and green recovery. Support from developed countries in developing countries’ green economic transition must be strengthened. A more sustainable, inclusive, and pro-poor development must become the foundation.

Finally, global partnership must be promoted. The no-one-left-behind principle must be translated in concrete actions. We must commit to avoid the me-first policy. Let us build trust and solidarity to achieve our common goals.

This spirit will be upheld by Indonesia in our presidency of G20 next year with the theme of “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”. This vision will prioritize the spirit of global collective leadership for recovery from the pandemic and for inclusive global growth.

Your Excellency,

As a closing remark, Indonesia’s commitment to the SDGs remains unwavering despite the pandemic. In this forum, we are once again delivering the Voluntary National Review (VNR) for the third time on SDG achievements.

I fervently hope Indonesia’s VNR can be useful for the world for a stronger joint recovery so that our world can usher in a much better future and we can build forward better.

I thank you. (DH/EP)