Navigating development in a country as vast and diverse as Indonesia can be like reading a map with missing details. Imagine trying to plan a journey across a vast archipelago with such a reference. That is often the challenge policymakers face when trying to address issues like maternal mortality, neonatal deaths, poverty, malnutrition and unequal education at the local level.When we measure macroeconomic progress, we often look at the big picture: national statistics and country-wide trends. But in a vast country of 17,000 islands with thousands of districts and cities, how do we ensure that every community is counted, and no one is left behind? When geographically nuanced data from surveys and administrative statistics are not fully available, an advanced statistical method can help bridge critical data gaps: Small Area Estimation (SAE).In Indonesia, with the support of the UN, this sophisticated method is helping statisticians and policymakers transform fragmented data into actionable insights that inform effective policy decisions, targeted budget planning, and enhanced implementation. Statistics Indonesia, the nation’s primary statistical body, is increasingly utilising this method, strengthening the country’s data ecosystem and ensuring that development efforts reach the most marginalised communities.The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) have been instrumental in supporting the development of a comprehensive Small Area Estimation Implementation Framework at Statistics Indonesia. Developed between October 2024 and June 2025, this Framework standardises estimation processes across institutions, ensuring results that are consistent and reliable. Supported by the Joint SDG Fund, the initiative also builds officials’ capacity to use the SAE method effectively and impactfully for decision-making.“With Small Area Estimation, we are not just crunching numbers; we are empowering local leaders with the precise information they need to transform lives, ensuring that every corner of Indonesia—from bustling cities to remote villages—truly benefits from the nation's progress,” highlights Gita Sabharwal, the Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Filling the gaps with granular dataTraditional surveys, while robust for national or provincial estimates, often lack the granularity needed for district- or city-specific interventions. That is where SAE comes in, acting like a high-resolution lens that brings local realities into focus. It combines survey data with additional sources, like census or administrative data, to generate reliable estimates for small geographic areas and produce statistically sound figures for smaller administrative units. This helps shape highly tailored and localised solutions.“Indonesia, with its immense diversity, requires equally diverse and localised policy interventions. With granular data, we can now analyse data in much greater detail at the local level, allowing for evidence-based policies tailored to specific community needs,” said Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, the Head of Statistics Indonesia. “This also helps in identifying vulnerable groups and areas with higher needs, ensuring development interventions are more effective.” From Data to PracticeInformation and data harvested through SAE are now informing policymaking at the national and subnational level, enhancing how Indonesia monitors progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.For example, with UNFPA’s support, Indonesia leverages this framework to estimate crucial demographic indicators, including the neonatal mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, contraceptive prevalence rate, unmet need for family planning and age-specific fertility rate (ages 10-14), at the sub-national level. These insights enable the Government to design precisely targeted interventions where they are needed most.Findings reveal persistently higher maternal mortality in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua and East Nusa Tenggara, evidence that guides strategies to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio through context-specific and innovative solutions tailored to local realities and resources. By aligning interventions with each region’s unique challenges, Indonesia can promote more equitable and effective maternal health outcomes nationwide. This evidence-based targeting ensures resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact, maximising returns and fostering sustainable impact. “These are not just numbers,” said Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Indonesia’s Country Representative. “They are life-and-death indicators. When we understand where maternal or neonatal deaths are most prevalent, we can work with the government to prioritise the right interventions, in the right places.”Using SAE, Statistics Indonesia, with support from UNICEF, mapped child poverty across several provinces. By integrating big data, satellite imagery, and data from the National Socio-Economic Survey, the 2020 Population Census, and Village Potential data, the team revealed a much sharper picture than traditional direct estimation methods could capture. This detailed understanding has been crucial for designing effective poverty reduction programmes that target the most affected communities.For its part, WFP has been supporting Indonesia’s National Food Agency in applying SAE to publish the annual Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas, which maps vulnerability at the sub-district level to inform food security policy. Building on this, development efforts have been directed towards villages in West Kalimantan where chronic undernutrition remains a pressing issue. Collective Wins"The support from the UN is tangible proof of the importance of cross-agency and international partnerships in driving innovation and strengthening statistical governance in Indonesia," said Ms. Widyasanti.Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP have worked together to build capacity not only at the national level, but also among Statistics Indonesia’s branches throughout the country. Ms. Widyasanti explained that these estimations are now regularly used to inform policymaking across several line ministries. Refining this approachWhile small area estimation offers immense potential, its implementation is not without challenges. The method's success depends on high-quality data, technical expertise and broad institutional buy-in. Furthermore, its statistical complexity requires rigorous transparency and validation to ensure that results are consistent and replicable, making a unified, well-supported framework essential for its widespread and effective use.“By continuously refining the framework, enhancing data quality, and fostering collaboration between national and sub-national stakeholders, Indonesia is well on its way to building a robust, data-driven foundation for equitable and sustainable development,” points out RC Gita Sabharwal. This article was first published on the UN DCO site https://un-dco.org/stories/how-advanced-statistical-method-helps-power-data-driven-development-indonesia, 9 October 2025

Bandung, Indonesia - On 18 September 2025, the Bandung Independent Living Center (BILiC) came alive with the sound of screen readers and the focus of participants navigating their laptops. Nine persons with different disabilities gathered in person, joined online by three participants from Jakarta, to test the newly redesigned Anti-Corruption Academy website. The initiative, developed by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Norway, marks a milestone in making anti-corruption education equally accessible to all.“This initiative reflects the UN principle of Leave No One Behind,” said Putri Rahayu Wijayanti, National Programme Coordinator at UNODC. “We realized from our discussions with persons with disabilities that anti-corruption education must also meet their specific needs. Different disabilities require different forms of support, and this redesign project is about making sure those needs are met.” The Anti-Corruption Academy itself, first introduced by ICW in 2018, was built to bring the fight against corruption into the hands of the people of Indonesia. Through its online modules, it explains how corruption operates in everyday life, from misuse of public funds to conflicts of interest, and guides users on how they can recognize abuses, demand accountability, and make reports through existing legal mechanisms. The courses are structured at different levels, ranging from introductory lessons of integrity and transparency to complex themes such as oligarchy, climate-related corruption, and gendered impacts of corruption. By reaching students, activists, civil servants, and community groups, the platform has grown into a civic education hub with over 40.000 of users nationwide.As the platform grew, however, it became clear that not everyone could benefit equally. Feedback from persons with disabilities revealed significant barriers, from inaccessible navigation to missing subtitles and alternative text.“We learned a lot by working directly with persons with disabilities,” said Nisa Rizkiah Zonzoa, Programme Manager for Public Education at ICW. “Education should never leave anyone behind, even in e-learning. We realized that inclusivity is not just about adding tools - like screen readers or subtitles - but also about how we communicate, how we design content, and how we make people feel that this movement welcomes them equally.”The redesigned platform now complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and integrates features such as screen reader compatibility, simpler navigation, and more inclusive learning materials. These improvements were immediately recognized by participants during the testing. “From the homepage to downloading the certificate, everything worked smoothly,” said Popon Siti Latipah, who is a person with vision disability. “Last time I tried, there were many obstacles, like the CAPTCHA during registration. But now those barriers are gone. I even learned new concepts like state capture and oligarchy. It sparks curiosity, and it gives us knowledge to protect ourselves, so we’re not just seen as objects of corruption but as people who can resist it.”For others, the technical improvements were just as meaningful.“Using my screen reader, I could navigate buttons and links with ease,” said Tri Nur Subhi, another participant. “This platform makes it possible for us to learn what corruption is, how it happens, and what small steps we can take to prevent it. It can be used by disability communities, students, and the wider public. It’s truly inclusive.”From BILiC’s perspective, the event was more than a test - it was a statement of principle. “When we talk about accessibility, we must involve persons with disabilities directly,” said Zulhamka Julianto Kadir, Director of BILiC. “Nothing about us without us. Digital platforms should follow universal design, so that no one is left behind - not in physical spaces, not in online education, not anywhere.”The Embassy of Norway, which has supported the project, underscored that corruption has particularly harsh - and often invisible - consequences for persons with disabilities. Misuse of disability funds and extortion in acquiring certificates are among the forms of “discriminatory corruption” that leave persons with disabilities more vulnerable and less able to seek justice. “Persons with disabilities must be at the center of anti-corruption strategies - not only as beneficiaries, but also as leaders and changemakers,” said Truls Desband, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Indonesia.As the testing concluded, participants expressed optimism that the Academy could serve as a model for inclusive digital education in Indonesia and beyond. For UNODC, that vision is clear. “Anti-corruption education empowers people to know their rights, to report corruption, and to help prevent it,” said Putri. “Our long-term hope is that persons with disabilities will be equally empowered to contribute to this fight. Because when everyone has equal access to knowledge, society as a whole grows stronger against corruption."

In the heart of Indonesia’s vast tropical landscapes, the province of Riau, known for its rich peatlands and biodiversity, is emerging as a beacon of climate leadership thanks to a new initiative that places local leadership and customary knowledge at the centre of climate action, in line with national policies. Indonesia’s national climate strategy aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. A key component of this strategy is for forests to absorb 140 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to taking 30 million cars off the road.Riau’s contribution to this goal is critical.The province has historically faced some of the highest rates of deforestation and land degradation, largely due to peatland drainage, fires and rapid land-use conversion to agriculture. Green for RiauLaunched earlier this year, the Green for Riau initiative is transforming the implementation of forest-based climate solutions to these challenges.“Economic and climate goals can very much co-exist,” said Abdul Wahid, Governor of Riau. “This is what our programme is about. We are proud to lead the way in showing that local action can deliver global results.”The new initiative, a collaboration between the Government of Indonesia, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with support from the United Kingdom, is already finding local solutions to global problems. Local leadership is keyLocal leadership is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While national governments pass legislation and set up the policy framework, implementing these policies falls to local authorities who lead the transition to a green economy.Nearly half of Riau’s seven million residents live in rural areas, many of whom depend on forests for their livelihoods. The initiative supports these communities through sustainable agroforestry, eco-tourism and non-timber forest products, ensuring that conservation efforts go hand-in-hand with economic development.“By aligning provincial action with national climate goals, Riau is showing how the Sustainable Development Goals can be realised from the ground up,” said Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator for Indonesia, on her return from Riau last month. “This shows how local leadership can drive national and global impact.” Rewarding emission reductionsAt the heart of the transformation is the REDD+ mechanism, which stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.The mechanism supports and rewards measurable emission reductions. Riau, with nearly five million hectares of carbon-rich peatland is poised to become Indonesia’s first province to access REDD+ finance.The approach is also about marrying technology with consent and customary knowledge. International organizations calculate carbon credits using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, satellite imagery, field verification and carbon forecasting models, in line with global REDD+ guidelines. AI meets generations of local wisdomBeyond forest monitoring, AI can generate robust data needed to unlock climate finance, supporting emissions tracking, reporting verification and benefit sharing.But, the effectiveness of these new technologies, particularly in environmental decision making, depends on the knowledge included as input.To be transformative, AI systems must be designed to respect, integrate and learn from customary knowledge systems.“You cannot entirely depend on AI for environmental decision making,” said Datuk H. Marjohan Yusuf, Chairman of the Council of the Malay Customary Institute of Riau.“It needs to take into account adat, or local wisdom, traditional practices developed and learned from observing nature for generations.”During the launch of Green for Riau, customary communities signed a joint declaration, aligning with national legal frameworks and policies that recognise and strengthen the rights and roles of customary communities in forest protection.This commitment will guide the development of safeguards and the distribution of benefits in accordance with Indonesia’s Social Safeguards Information System in compliance with national and international standards.“This project is not only protecting forests; it is also empowering communities,” said Marlene Nilsson, Deputy Director of UNEP in Asia-Pacific. “Riau’s leadership is a model for how to drive climate action while supporting livelihoods and biodiversity.”  Model for inclusive climate financeWith UN support and community involvement, new schemes under REDD+ provide incentives to local populations to safeguard rather than exploit forests. This also strengthens land-use governance and sets up financial frameworks to attract both public and private investment into forests.The benefits go beyond carbon. Riau is home to iconic and endangered species such as the Sumatran orangutan, tiger and elephant. Protecting these habitats safeguards biodiversity and enhances climate resilience.The initiative is piloting REDD+ results-based payments at the provincial level, providing a scalable model for inclusive, high-integrity forest finance. This will be done through REDD’s facilitation of mutual recognition arrangements between the government and international carbon crediting programmes. Forest transition could unlock millionsThese efforts could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars annually in carbon finance and develop an investment pipeline, creating a sustainable funding stream for conservation and development.“Riau is becoming the first Indonesian province to adopt global standards for sustainable forest management,” Ms. Sabharwal said. “This bold step will unlock high-integrity, results-based payments and demonstrates how global standards can translate into sustainable, inclusive growth.”At the 2025 REDD+ investment roundtable in London, global investors expressed strong interest in supporting Riau’s forest transition, Ms Nilsson said, providing an example for other jurisdictions in Indonesia and beyond.“The interest from financers signals that climate solutions rooted in local leadership and customary knowledge are not only just, but viable,” she said.

The world is not just facing a water crisis — it may already be bankrupt. That was the stark message delivered by Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), during a lecture at IPB (Institut Pertanian Bogor) University as part of his official visit to Indonesia. Mr. Madani’s visit marked the launch of a collaboration between UNU-INWEH and Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), Indonesia’s public broadcaster. Under this partnership, RRI will serve as the Asia Pacific secretariat of the Global Media Academy, a platform developed by UNU-INWEH to bring water, environment, and health issues to the forefront of global media narratives. UNU-INWEH, headquartered in Canada, focuses on evidence-based policy research, capacity development, and advancing solutions to global water and sanitation challenges, particularly in support of developing countries.In a lecture delivered to students and faculty members in Bogor, Mr. Madani urged the public to rethink how they speak about water-related challenges. He explained that over the past decades, human activity has steadily drained both surface water and groundwater reserves, often faster than nature can replenish them: “Surface water is like a checking account meant for regular use, while groundwater functions as a savings account, one that should only be tapped above its replenishment level in emergencies,” he said. “Yet today, many countries are living off this savings account without a plan to repay the debt.”Indonesia, as a nation of thousands of islands with a big population heavily dependent on agriculture, fisheries, and hydropower, faces water problems of its own despite generous rainfall. Groundwater over‑extraction in Java, land subsidence in Jakarta, deforestation affecting hydrological cycles in Sumatra and Kalimantan, and shifting rainfall patterns across the country represent some of the main water-related challenges to tackle. These problems are more severe elsewhere. Mr. Madani painted a sobering picture of the trends contributing to global water bankruptcy. Countries with economic and technological resources have built infrastructure that allows them to extract more water than their ecosystems can sustain. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, particularly in Africa and South America, they must face what he called economic water scarcity. Although water is available, people lack the means to access or distribute it properly due to poverty.He highlighted the growing imbalance in global water trade. Water-intensive goods, especially agricultural products, are often produced in countries that can least afford to bear the environmental costs. These products are exported to wealthier nations, effectively shifting water stress from one part of the world to another. “This form of ‘virtual water trade’ reflects a broader pattern of environmental inequality,” he said.The climate crisis, he added, is amplifying these pressures. Shifts in precipitation, longer droughts, and rising temperatures are making water systems more volatile and less predictable. What is more, damaged ecosystems such as wetlands, aquifers, and lakes are becoming harder, if not impossible, to restore. In many places, water scarcity has led to the collapse of rural livelihoods and has triggered water-related tensions between countries and regions.Rather than framing these water challenges as a temporary emergency that can be solved with building one more dam or a new desalination plant, Mr. Madani called for an honest conversation about adaptation. “We must acknowledge that some of the damage is permanent,” he said. “We need to stop treating this as a problem that can be solved overnight.”In response to a question from the audience about how to build stronger political will around water-related challenges, Mr. Madani explained that crises – such as droughts or floods – can serve as critical turning points, lowering the political cost of reform and opening space for stronger environmental action. He emphasized the need for scientists, media, and civil society to work together in shaping narratives that make water issues both visible and urgent in the eyes of the public and decision-makers alike.To increase public understanding of this complex topic, Mr. Madani stressed the importance of crafting narratives that resonate beyond technical audiences. That, he said, is the purpose of the Global Media Academy: to equip the media with the tools needed to communicate the urgency and complexity of water issues around the world. “There is no shortage of sad stories, but we also need stories of hope,” he said. “We need to show what is working and learn from local communities. By telling those stories, especially from the Global South, we can build a more inclusive and informed global response.”