Vaccination is a Hope to Immediately Escape This Health Crisis: President Jokowi

President Jokowi (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the 2030 SDGs more difficult to achieve and reduced the progress that has been made, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The President delivered the statement in his remarks on sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the United Nations Economic and Social Council High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development held online, Tuesday (13/07).

According to the President, at the global level, at least 255 million people have lost their job, 110 million people have fallen back into poverty, and 83-132 million people are on the brink of starvation and malnutrition, adding that in these tough times, international cooperation and solidarity must be promoted and innovation must be improved.

“Therefore, I would like 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,” he said.

The President also stressed that equal access to vaccines must be guaranteed; yet, as of today there remains a huge disparity in vaccine access.

Hence, he added, Indonesia is pushing for equal access to vaccine for all countries to be realized, including dose-sharing through COVAX Facility.

“(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), and increasing vaccine diversification and production volumes, including in developing countries,” he said.

The President also highlighted the need to pay more attention and increase assistance for vulnerable groups due to the economic slowdown, adding that everyone is affected by the pandemic, especially vulnerable groups, so social security and protection are an essential part of the efforts to rebound 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,” he said.

The President also underscored that global economy must bounce back together and move together without compromising health aspect, adding that some countries have seen a positive growth, but it will only be beneficial if positive growth occurs at the same time in the world.

“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 green economic transition in developing countries must be strengthened. A more sustainable, inclusive, and pro-poor development must be the foundation,” he said.

In addition, the President also underscored that commitment to global partnership must be strengthened and the “no one left behind” principle must be realized in concrete actions, while calling on all countries to 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 Indonesia’s presidency of G20 next year with the theme of Recover Together, Recover Stronger. It will put prioritize the spirit of global collective leadership for recovery from the pandemic and for inclusive global growth,” he said.

Closing his remarks, the President stressed that Indonesia’s commitment to the SDGs remain unwavering despite the pandemic, adding that Indonesia also delivered the third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on SDG achievements.

“I hope Indonesia’s VNR can be useful for the world for a stronger joint recovery so that the world can usher in a much better future,” he remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)