UN in Indonesia COVID-19 Response Newsletter February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic remains persistent in reflecting inequalities among and within countries, adversely impacting countries including Indonesia and groups already at the greatest risk of being left behind. Today, we are at a critical juncture where humanity and global solidarity are being tested, where a collective endeavor is needed more than ever to make sure efforts to recover better from the pandemic leave no one behind.

So, what does it mean to leave no one behind? In simple terms, leaving no one behind means prioritizing human dignity and placing the progress of the most marginalized communities first—women and girls being all too often at the top of the list. Leaving no one behind means – a commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms; end discrimination and exclusion, and to act explicitly to ensure that those who have been left behind can catch up to those who have experienced greater progress.

In Indonesia, the informal working sector is heavily affected by the pandemic close to 90 percent (or even more) of all workers, including people with disabilities that tend to work in the informal economy. The UN team in Indonesia is working around the clock to ensure that this vulnerable group does not left behind as we recover better. As an example, we join forces with our partners to gather around 100 companies and relevant institutions to promote inclusive and equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities; to provide greater access to formal employment to people with disabilities.

Leaving no one behind is a recurring and overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. It pushes us to address the structural causes of inequality and marginalization that affect them. As tough as it sounds, leaving no one behind requires our collective effort to operationalize this concept. Join us in undertaking this ambitious pledge so that we can curb inequalities and fast-track progress among the furthest behind.