United Nations supports IGCN’s Moving Forward Faster initiative to accelerate the 2030 Agenda

The United Nations in Indonesia remains committed to supporting member companies and organizations of the Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN) and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia said last week.

IGCN has 160 member companies and organizations, with a total annual revenue of US$ 145 billion, accounting for over 10% of Indonesia’s GDP. Its members pledge to be agents of change, driving Indonesia towards the achievement of human rights, competitive labour, a sustainable environment and ethical business practices.

The SDGs can only be achieved in partnership between different actors, and that includes the private sector, which accounts for 9 out of 10 jobs in Indonesia, said Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. She addressed the Annual General Meeting of IGCN in Jakarta last week. Read her full statement here.

“Moving forward faster will depend on three areas for acceleration; ambitious leadership from private sectors, unlocking sustainable investments for green transition, and the championing of gender equality and decent work,” Ms Sabharwal said. “And business leaders can take these to the next level as the IGCN embodies the power of partnerships.”

Globally, only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be met. In Indonesia, this figure – according to calculations by the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) – is 62%. 

As the world approaches the 2030 target to reach the SDGs, the urgency to accelerate progress intensifies, both globally and in Indonesia. The next few years are critical in tackling global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, as well as creating a path to sustainable economic growth.

This is why IGCN launched its UN Global Compact Moving Forward Faster initiative at the event. The initiative seeks to accelerate Indonesia’s transformation towards achieving the SDGs by adopting environmentally friendly practices that reduce carbon footprints while promoting ethical and inclusive business.

“This initiative confirms our commitment to driving sustainable growth and strengthening collaboration among our members and stakeholders,” said IGCN President Yaya Winarno Junardy.

The partnership between the private sector, government, and the UN is particularly important in today’s complex geopolitical context, for it has the potential to be transformational, positioning IGCN as an inspiration for other country-level networks in Southeast Asia, Ms Sabharwal said. “With collaborative efforts and shared commitment, this initiative could serve as a model for accelerating sustainable development and achieving the 2030 Agenda,” she added.