Story
06 May 2026
‘Real impact on the ground’ needed as Indonesia backs UN reform
Ambassador Tri Tharyat, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Cooperation, has seen cooperation with the UN first-hand. In Nairobi, New York and Jakarta, he has worked tirelessly to harness benefits for Indonesia while advocating for a stronger voice for the Global South in UN decision-making. On the occasion of his upcoming retirement, UN News spoke to him about the role of the UN development system in middle-income countries and how a country can make the most of its partnership with the UN. What, in your view, is the role of the UN development system in an upper-middle-income country? How is the UN in Indonesia matching up to this ambition?In an upper-middle-income country like Indonesia, the UN development system must position itself as a strategic partner, with its core value in four areas.First, providing the expertise and know-how to translate the country’s needs to actionable development programmes. Second, connecting the government, the private sector, civil society, and international financial institutions to solve complex challenges. Third, functioning as a catalyst for innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, green bonds, and impact investments. And fourth, serving as a guardian of inclusion and universal norms to ensure that no population is left behind in the development journey. Against this view, the UN in Indonesia, as reflected in our Cooperation Framework 2026–2030, is largely well-positioned. The Framework's architecture, covering human development, environment and decarbonization, as well as economic and digital transformation, is coherently designed and genuinely aligned with Indonesia's national priorities set out in the Asta Cita and reflects a strong commitment to country ownership. The UN's explicit positioning as a facilitator of innovative and blended finance, combined with efficiency measures such as a Common Back Office, further demonstrate an institutional maturity appropriate for the country's development context.However, important gaps remain. The Framework's ambition spans 18 strategic priorities across three outcomes, risking a spread of effort too wide to generate deep, catalytic impact. Strong, continuous coordination with the government particularly through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Development Planning, will be key to prioritizing those that best serve Indonesia's needs.Addressing Indonesia's persistent disparities across its vast archipelago will demand a level of sub-national specificity that a national framework can only partially deliver. This will require strong commitment from provincial and municipal leaders.Overall, the UN in Indonesia is moving in the right direction, and the Cooperation Framework represents a sophisticated and largely appropriate response to the demands of partnering with an upper-middle-income country of Indonesia's ambition and complexity. The true measure of success, however, will lie in implementation, particularly through concrete, measurable outcomes that meaningfully contribute to Indonesia's journey toward its Golden 2045 vision. What would you consider as the top three highlights of the UN Country Team’s contribution to Indonesia?I want to emphasize that any success of the UN Country Team is a success of Indonesia’s own vision and leadership. The UN has been a valuable partner in accelerating our national priorities.There are three highlights that are measurable, nationally relevant, and future-looking.First, accelerating stunting reduction through integrated nutrition and sanitation programs.Stunting is a top national priority. The UN, especially UNICEF, WHO, and WFP, have provided technical assistance, global best practices, and supply chain support for maternal health, breastfeeding, and water/sanitation.As a result, Indonesia has reduced stunting prevalence from 37% in 2013 to 21.6% in 2022, with UN-backed district-level interventions in eastern Indonesia.The UN didn’t just provide advice; they helped us reach remote villages with practical solutions, aligning perfectly with our national action plan.Second, supporting Indonesia’s COVID-19 response and strengthening its health system.A clear, life-saving contribution. The WHO, UNICEF, and other UN agencies helped with genomic surveillance, oxygen supply mapping, vaccine cold-chain logistics, and risk communication. The UN supported the delivery of over 400 million vaccine doses, trained thousands of health workers, and helped maintain routine immunization during the pandemic.When the world faced an unprecedented crisis, the UN Country Team stood with us, not as outsiders, but as trusted partners on the ground, from Aceh to Papua.This kind of support, I believe, is critical in achieving other national targets in health sector such as on reducing maternal mortality ratio and stepping the capacity of our health workers.Third, advancing Indonesia’s green transition and climate resilience.Green transition and climate resilience align with Indonesia’s G20 presidency, net-zero by 2060 goal, and NDC commitments. UNDP, UNEP, and FAO have supported mangrove restoration, early warning systems, just energy transition planning, and sustainable agriculture.The UN helps us turn global commitments into village-level action. From protecting our coastlines to creating green jobs, this partnership delivers real results for our people and the planet. What advice would you offer to other Ministries of Foreign Affairs on how to most effectively engage with UN Country Teams and UN system entities?My advice to other MFAs is simple and based on our best practices in Indonesia. First and foremost, treat the UN Country Team as a strategic partner in delivering your national priorities.Specifically, there are three pieces of practical advice that I may offer:First, align the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) fully with your national medium-term development plan. MFA can serve as a bridge between the UN system and relevant national stakeholders to jointly draft the UNSDCF, ensuring that every UN agency’s work program maps directly to specific national targets. For this to work, one should assign a senior MFA officer as “UN coordination lead”.Second, work closely together with the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). The RC can convene all UN agencies, unlock global technical expertise, and speak with one UN voice. Request annual “Joint UN Delivery Reviews” in your MFA, chaired by a senior official and the RC, with UN agencies presenting progress and gaps on your top national priorities.Third, work on creating coherence and streamlined UN programmes, MFA must work with relevant stakeholders, particularly those involved in development planning, to ensure there is no duplication or redundancy, working in tandem with the development planning agency. What kind of UN would Indonesia like to see emerge from the UN80 process?Indonesia would like to see a UN that is more responsive, effective, and trusted, and better equipped to address today’s complex and interconnected challenges. We expect a strengthened multilateral system that delivers real impact on the ground, particularly in supporting sustainable development, peace, and resilience. This includes a UN that is more coherent across its pillars, more efficient in its operations, and more inclusive in reflecting the voices and priorities of developing countries.We also hope to see tangible results across all three workstreams that translate into greater impact, ensuring that UN80 is not reduced to austerity measures but instead drives a more fit-for-purpose, effective, better-resourced, and results-oriented UN system.Ultimately, the UN must remain anchored in its core principles while adapting to a changing global landscape. Above all, Indonesia envisions a UN that responds to the needs and aspirations of its broader membership, rather than serving the interests of a few. How do you see Indonesia’s role in the UN in the years ahead?Last October, we marked two meaningful milestones: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and 75 years since Indonesia proudly joined this great institution.We believe, now more than ever, that the complex challenges of our time can only be solved through collective resolve, shared responsibility, and genuine partnership.This conviction is not merely rhetorical. It is reflected in the deep and productive partnership between Indonesia and the UN system here at home. A partnership that is built on trust, dialogue, and mutual commitment. We are determined to ensure this partnership continues to deliver real, measurable impact for the Indonesian people.As our partnership deepens domestically, Indonesia's voice and role on the global stage continue to grow. Indonesia is currently serving as Chair of the Human Rights Council, a responsibility we take very seriously and with a genuine commitment to advancing human dignity, accountability, and the rule of law for all nations. Looking further ahead, Indonesia is actively pursuing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029–2030, a candidacy that reflects our commitment to contribute more directly to the maintenance of international peace and security at the highest level.These are not isolated ambitions; they are part of a coherent and long-term vision of Indonesia as a constructive, principled, and increasingly influential force within the UN system. A nation of 281 million people, with a young and dynamic population, a growing economy, and a proud tradition of peaceful coexistence and democratic governance, Indonesia has both the capacity and the responsibility to help shape a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world order. We intend to rise to that responsibility fully, consistently, and with partners we trust.---This article was first published on the UN News site https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167429, 1 May 2026
