United Nations in Indonesia

The United Nations is committed to working with the Government of Indonesia to building a nation that is prosperous, democratic, and just, where development benefits all people, and where the rights of future generations are protected. True to the promise of the SDGs to “leave no one behind”, the UN’s approach combines a strong focus on the poorest of the poor, combatting discrimination and rising inequalities and addressing their root causes. “Leaving no one behind” means prioritizing people’s dignity and placing the progress of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities first. This central and transformative promise has become more important than ever to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive recovery.

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Publication

28 June 2023

United Nations in Indonesia Country Results Report 2022

The UN in Indonesia's Annual Results Report 2022 provides a comprehensive overview of the UN's work and impact against the backdrop of a difficult economic situation both globally and to some extent also in Indonesia. The war in Ukraine, and the food, energy and financial crises in its wake were unexpected challenges for countries worldwide. Despite such headwinds, Indonesia navigated the situation better than most. The report highlights development outcomes as the country were recovering from COVID-19 while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the lives of citizens. The collaborative efforts of the Government of Indonesia, international development partners, and member states are recognized as instrumental in achieving the SDGs. The report is illustrated with 30 "stories" of individuals who - thanks to projects by various UN agencies - are no longer left behind. For detailed insights into the UN's work and the country's progress, please download the full report attached.

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Publication

07 June 2023

Better Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All in Indonesia (BERANI) Programme Fact Sheet

The Government of Indonesia, UNFPA, and UNICEF have been working together through the Better Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All in Indonesia (BERANI) Programme from 2018 to 2023. This joint effort aims to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and young people across the country. Under the BERANI Programme, several key areas have been focused on, including enhancing midwifery education and regulation, strengthening partnerships to improve family planning, providing youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and information, strengthening the health sector's response to gender-based violence, and community outreach and empowerment. Throughout the programme, significant achievements have been made. Over 20 policies, advocacy strategies, and roadmaps were developed to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights. Midwifery education centers have implemented high-quality standards, leading to increased pass rates in national competency exams. Private clinics have been strengthened to provide quality youth-friendly services, and community health centers have been capacitated to respond effectively to gender-based violence. Additionally, a considerable number of young people have benefited from the programme. Thousands of adolescents have received comprehensive sexuality education and information on menstrual hygiene management. Digital content creators have been trained to develop sexual and reproductive health-related content, reaching a combined audience of over 600,000 young people. The BERANI Programme highlights the commitment to leaving no one behind, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and information. The BERANI fact sheet is downloadable through the button below this article. #BERANI #ReproductiveHealth #GenderEquality

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Better Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All in Indonesia (BERANI) Programme Fact Sheet Cover

Story

29 May 2023

Baristas behind bars: From serving time to serving lattes

Perfectly foamed milk. A delicate butterfly enswirled atop. A bittersweet tang on the palate. A perfect cappuccino? It is beyond that. This particular cup was masterfully frothed and served by Denny, an inmate in Tangerang, west of Jakarta, who joined a UN-supported training programme to help prisoners to re-integrate into society after serving time. “I want to make the most of my time, even in prison, and this training should help me find a job later,” said Denny, 31, who has just over two years left of a five-year prison sentence. “Of course, I knew how to make a coffee before, but here I am learning about different flavours, smells and aromas, and about the artistic side of coffee making.” Denny is one of 200 inmates in the Tangerang Class IIA Correctional Facility and among more than 35,000 inmates across Indonesia who are involved in vocational training, from eco-printing on textiles to farming. While learning how to be a barista behind bars, he said he hopes to get a job in a café following his release. Salis Farida Fitriani, who heads the correctional facility, said the programme aims at building a better future, but skills training alone is not enough for inmates to succeed in the outside world. To deal with a society that often stigmatizes them for life, she said, the prison offers training in personality development, counselling, and religious teaching. “Our goal is to provide positive activities and training for the inmates,” she said. “The programme includes personality development as well as vocational training to help with their future livelihoods.” Breaking the ‘ex-con’ stigma Starting a business is hard after serving time in prison, said Haswin, a 32-year-old former drug offender. Leaving the Tangerang correctional facility in January 2022, he now operates his own coffee shop, mixing modern and traditional coffee styles alongside mocktails and snacks. “Life is so much better now,” said Haswin, adding that his former bartending job was a prime factor in his involvement with drug-related offences that led to his arrest in 2018. “I am more content with life and proud of my creativity,” he explained. “I had never thought I could find a career outside nightlife.” Now, his work is not just a “means to make ends meet”, but a new opportunity. “I want to break the stigma around ‘ex-cons’ by showing that former offenders can also be independent and creative,” he said. From sports to university programmes Tangerang Class IIA gives prisoners a chance to do that. They can also compete in professional sports at Tangerang, a prison unique in Indonesia for offering a full university education programme. Open to prisoners across Indonesia, a pilot programme currently serving 200 inmates is poised to roll out countrywide, subject to funding, Ms. Fitriani said. Asep, a third-year Islamic studies student with Syekh Yusuf Islamic University, said he, like many in the programme, could not afford to go to university in his life before prison. “I was always keen to learn, but my economic situation did not make it possible for me to study,” he said. Following the same curriculum the university offers to its regular students, Asep and his schoolmates attend classes thrice weekly for six hours each day. After graduation and before the end of his prison sentence, Asep said he hopes to help his fellow prisoners by offering religious counselling. “I get to learn a lot about the world and about life outside,” he said. “It helps me cope better with my long sentence. It will help the others, too.” Tailored to inmates’ needs Supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), the training programmes are designed with help from a set of assessment tools that provide evidence-based approaches tailored to inmates’ individual needs. Corrections officers use these tools to evaluate and better understand inmates, including the level of security risk they may pose, their compatibility with the programme, and their likely response to education. Within UNODC’s prisoner rehabilitation initiative, which focuses on education, vocational training, and employment during incarceration, the goal is to contribute to the prisoners’ employability after release, thus reducing chances of recidivism. With this in mind, the agency partnered with Indonesia’s Directorate-General of Corrections to create an assessment matrix that helps corrections officers to build psychological and security profiles of prisoners and enables staff to keep track of their progress, said Rabby Pramudatama, a programme manager at UNODC’s Jakarta office. “We need to make sure, for instance, that we get inmates who are unlikely to disturb the classes and will cooperate with teachers and their fellow students,” he said. Second chances UNODC also collaborates and supports such non-governmental organizations as Second Chance, which help inmates to reintegrate into society once they are out of the facility. On a quiet morning, some inmates were reviewing verses from the Quran, while others gathered around to watch a pair of sparring kickboxers. As rain set in, they spoke of the sunshine that was bound to break through, sooner or later. For Denny, he said the sunshine will come on the day when he, too, can get out and find a job. “My main drive right now is to be a better person than I was before,” he said, adding that until that day, he will focus on religious activities and brewing perfect cappuccinos in barista classes. Learn more about how UNODC is helping to reform prisons across the world here. This article was initially published by UN News in this link: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137212

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Publication

30 May 2023

UN in Indonesia Newsletter 2023 Volume 1

We are pleased to present the first edition of the UN in Indonesia Newsletter for the year 2023. This newsletter provides an overview of the significant work carried out by the United Nations in Indonesia from January to April, highlighting our commitment to sustainable development and inclusivity. In this edition, our focus is on SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By fostering strong collaborations and partnerships between governments, private sector, and civil society, we aim to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a better future for all. Through the newsletter, we strive to bring the United Nations closer to the people we serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of sustainable development. It features inspiring stories from various UN agencies in Indonesia, showcasing their remarkable initiatives and efforts in promoting inclusivity and advancing sustainable development goals. One of the featured projects in this edition sheds light on the vocational training program at the Tangerang Class IIA Correctional Facility. With the support of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), this program equips prisoners with essential skills to facilitate their successful reintegration into society after completing their sentences. It exemplifies our commitment to empowering individuals and contributing to positive social change. As we navigate the post-pandemic era, it is imperative that we make up for the lost time and expedite our efforts towards achieving the SDGs. By strengthening our collective impact and forging new pathways, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive world for present and future generations. You can access the downloadable newsletter in both English and Bahasa Indonesia below of this page. Together, let us make a lasting difference and work towards a world where everyone can thrive.

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Story

19 September 2023

Indonesian Government Showcases Four High Impact Initiatives at the SDG Summit

With the demonstration of four high impact initiatives that will help the country accelerate its progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Indonesia’s delegation is playing an active role at the SDG Summit, taking place on 16- 19 September at United Nations headquarters in New York. The summit focuses on carrying out a comprehensive review of the state of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and identifying ways in which the goals can be reached by the 2030 target. Participants are expected to make binding commitments to move the SDGs back on track following a slow-down and in some cases even a reversal in global development due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the world is on track to meet only 12% of the 140 SDG indicators. Indonesia, whose own national development agenda is based on the SDGs, is doing better than most countries with 60% of indicators on track, according to the Ministry of National Development Planning. There are 12 high impact initiatives highlighted at the summit aiming to accelerate the 2030 Agenda progress. The Indonesian Government presented four High Impact Initiatives, developed with the support of the UN in Indonesia. These are the following: Food Systems: Transforming food systems for a sustainable world without hunger September 17, 21.30 WIB (GMT +7) Recording available at: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1t/k1tuvsyu85 Power of Data: Unlocking the Data Dividend for the SDGs September 17, 22.45 WIB (GMT +7) Recording available at: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1w68j5pae Nature Driving Economic Transformation September 17, 22.45 WIB (GMT +7) Recording available at: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k18jexfyux Global Accelerator: The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions September 18, 02.00 WIB (GMT +7) Recording available at: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1t/k1t3ajupq6 Head of the Indonesian delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, is scheduled to participate in the Leaders’ Dialogue on 19 September and deliver Indonesia’s commitment to the acceleration towards the SDGs.

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Story

19 September 2023

The Number of Companies Promoting the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles Skyrockets

Opening a bakery, becoming a professional designer, operating a home-tailoring business—three aspirations that just months ago would have been unthinkable to the cohort of eight women and girls about to graduate from Kartini Blue Bird, a corporate social responsibility initiative that aims to economically empower the daughters and wives of the mostly male drivers at Indonesia’s largest taxi operator, Blue Bird. “I’m proud of myself because I get a lot of orders from my family and friends—they trust me enough to do that,” says Yulis Asianti, 50, who studied tailoring over the course of the 24-week programme. “I used to be very shy and feel like I couldn’t do anything. Now I can brag about my achievements,” she adds Rila Wati Harahap, a 26-year-old soon-to-be graduate, wearing a red hijab and matching dress she had sewn on the course, reflected on her new sense of self-sufficiency: “I can make my own clothes. I don’t have to rely on anyone,” she said. The Kartini Blue Bird programme is just one of the initiatives rolled out by an increasing number of Indonesian companies that have pledged to the Women’s Empowerment Principles, or WEPs, established by UN WOMEN and the United Nations Global Compact in 2010. From just 14 Indonesian companies in 2019, signatories to the WEPs—which are designed to empower women in workplaces, marketplaces, and communities—grew more than tenfold to 177 by February 2023. “In addition to better performance due to diversity in their management teams, companies that care about their employees and invest more in women in the community will achieve better results for their bottom line and the wider community and environment,” says Jamshed Kazi, UN Women’s representative in Indonesia. “Gender sensitive business practices are good both for business and for creating a just society.” The principles encourage progressive initiatives such as Blue Bird’s Kartini programme, which provides participants with new skills and in some cases an additional income stream that can be used to keep children in education. They also help mobilize employees around measurable goals, says Blue Bird Group CEO and Chair Noni Purnomo. Those goals include the company’s aim to have women comprise 25% of management by 2024—a target that may not be easy to meet in the traditionally male dominated transportation sector. “We can’t do it alone,” says Ms. Purnomo, “By having the WEP pledge, it helped me to encourage other people [in the company] to be involved, and it acted as a guideline to show how we could embed [women’s empowerment] in our company policies.” Since 2020, UN Women has hosted awards ceremonies to recognize the achievements of companies that have signed up to the seven principles, which range from establishing high-level corporate leadership for gender equality, to promoting education, training, and professional development for women, to measuring and publicly reporting on progress towards gender equality. Acting on the principles is especially critical in the wake of COVID-19. Research by UN Women suggests the pandemic has increased the gender gap in women’s wages and workforce participation globally, increased the burden of unpaid household labour, increased incidence of gender-based violence, and exacerbated challenges faced by those in precarious work. But even before COVID-19, businesses were progressing far too slowly on gender equality. In 2023, the World Economic Forum estimated that based on the current pace of change it will take 131 years to close the overall gender gap and 169 years for economic parity. Creative ways to help women At creative agency Think.Web, one of the 2022 winners of the WEP Awards for Indonesia, creating an inclusive and enabling environment is crucial to ensuring women’s economic empowerment. The company strives for gender balance across its operations, with six of its 18 senior managers—as well one of the company’s two co-CEO—being women, explains co-CEO, Ramya Prajna Sahisnu. Polices such as the option of one month paternity leave instead of the two days provisioned under Indonesian law provide opportunities for a more equal balance of childcare between men and women, he adds. “Not all the women’s empowerment policies focus on women, we also consider policies for men that will impact women workers through fostering a more gender equal environment.” For Mr. Sahisnu, winning a WEP as a 50-employee organization, alongside much larger companies, conferred an honour distinct from the creative industry awards for which the company usually competes. “As a small company, this gives us confidence that doing purposeful work and having empowerment as one of our four key pillars can create a big impact,” he says.

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dua perempuan sedang berada dalam kelas menjahit

Story

15 September 2023

Breaking the Taboo: Health Workers in Papua Explore New Outreach Methods to Promote Youth HIV Testing

Even a decade later, Maria Jeklin Maker is not sure of the exact circumstances that led to her cousin’s death. The few details Ms. Maker received, aged 16, had come from her aunt: her cousin had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and people in their community avoided her for fear of contracting it. As a trainee nurse, Ms. Maker, now 26, knows how misguided those people’s fears were. She also knows it will soon be her job to give patients accurate information about HIV. Still, when it came to finding out her own status, the experience made her hesitate: “There is such a lack of knowledge; stigma and discrimination are still high in Papua.” Despite the widespread availability of antiretroviral medicines that enable people living with HIV to enjoy long, healthy lives, an estimated 26,000 people died of AIDS in Indonesia in 2022. In Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost region, HIV prevalence is almost 7 times the national average, the Ministry of Health estimated in 2022. The Ministry's data also reveals that about 48% of people living with HIV in the Indonesian half of Papua Island were unaware that they had contracted the virus. With nearly half of Indonesia’s new HIV infections occurring among people aged 15–24, youth civil society network Inti Muda—with the backing of UNAIDS—is fighting back against the ignorance, discrimination, and stigma that prevents youth from accessing HIV testing, treatment, and support. That starts with making health services more friendly to youth and “key populations”—a designation that refers to the communities most vulnerable to AIDS, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, drug users, and people living with HIV. “Young people still encounter many challenges that prevent them from accessing the life-saving health care they need,” said Krittayawan Boonto, UNAIDS Country Director for Indonesia. Organisations like Inti Muda, she says, help equip them to “take control of the HIV response and to have direct involvement in creating safe spaces where young people can access HIV services free from stigma and discrimination.” Stigma and discrimination are among the key factors driving the low willingness of young people in provinces like West Papua to access HIV-related support, according to a recent Inti Muda and University of Padjadjaran study. Respondents cited among other deterrents inconvenient opening hours and the remote location of clinics and hospitals, concerns about confidentiality and privacy, and judgmental attitudes from healthcare workers on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health. “We are limited by which clinics we can access because many, if not most, are not youth-friendly,” said Sepi Maulana Ardiansyah, Inti Muda’s former national coordinator. “If the services are bad, young people won’t use them and they will tell other young people not to use them,” he added Findings from the Inti Muda and University of Padjadjaran study on youth attitudes towards HIV services in Papua were among the information shared with more than 50 healthcare workers at UNAIDS-supported training sessions held in the West Papua cities of Sentani and Jayapura in 2022. Hilda Rumboy, a midwife in charge of the HIV Services Department at the Waibu Primary Health Center in Papua’s Jayapura regency said the session helped her understand the diverse needs of young people and would, “allow us to improve our services to become youth-friendly, which is now our main priority.” A year on from the training, young people feel comfortable using the services at Waibu Primary Health Center, whose staff are friendly and treat all patients equally, according to Inti Muda. Among other service upgrades, patients can now access HIV service-related appointments outside of the centre’s operating hours of 08:00 to 14:00. In parallel with efforts to sensitise the region’s health workers to the needs of young people, Inti Muda organized a festival to generate greater demand for HIV services and engage young people directly in HIV response, which like the training for healthcare workers was supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Among the more than 80 attendees was Ms. Maker, the trainee nurse, who said that hearing for the first time about the efficacy of antiretroviral medicine at the festival had given her the confidence to get tested. After testing negative, she says she was inspired to challenge misinformation about HIV and encourage her friends to find out their status. “Don’t be afraid, because we already have the medicine to stay healthy,” she says, adding that a positive test “is not the end of the world.” Joseph Hincks

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29 August 2023

Doctors in Palu learn to recognize signs of family violence and support victims

PALU, CENTRAL SULAWESI – Dr. Fai’zah A.Salim was not convinced. When a five-year-old boy was presented with injuries his parents attributed to him falling off a ladder, she suspected otherwise. Trained by UNFPA to identify both physical and psychological signs of domestic violence, she referred the boy to a social counselor. Shortly afterwards, he explained what really happened - how his father beat him for mischief. “Recognition is the first step to being able to help,” Dr Salim said. “We need to do a lot more than treat symptomatic wounds.” The Public Health Centre, or Puskemas, where Salim works, is part of a UNFPA pilot programme to combat gender-based violence and other forms of domestic violence. The programme covers 11 districts in Indonesia, including Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi. Under it, UNFPA supports the government in policy making and trains health care providers. Local partners are encouraged to advocate for victims to come forward and seek help beyond getting their wounds treated. This is an aspect of the project Dr Salim and her colleagues take seriously. They have organized community forums and worked with associations in the Centre’s coverage area to encourage women to come forward. The results are clear. In the first quarter of 2023, staff at Puskemas Sangurara had already identified seven cases of domestic violence, compared to between one and two over an entire year in the past. “Is it because of the advocacy or because we are better trained to recognize the symptoms of gender-based violence? Probably both,” she said. Despite significant progress in gender equality, including increased access for women and girls to education, employment and health services, gender-based violence remains a serious public health and human rights concern in Indonesia, said Norcahyo Budi Waskito, Project Officer at UNFPA Indonesia. National policies, strategies and legal documents have been put in place. However, these have not always been implemented at the local level. The government has recognized the need for a systematic solution to ending gender-based violence and has partnered with United Nations agencies such as UNFPA and UN Women. The number of reported cases has increased from 216,156 in 2012 to 457,895 in 2022, according to the National Commission on Violence against Women. This suggests that efforts to encourage more victims to come forward is having an effect. But the numbers represent is only the tip of the iceberg, as what goes on behind closed doors in a family home is still considered taboo by many and reporting it carries a stigma. Shame is not the only reason that keeps victims from coming forward: there is also a financial disincentive. Annisa Rahmah, an emergency room physician at Palu’s Anuta Pura hospital, says several victims choose to walk out once she identifies cases as domestic violence, because the treatment would then not be covered by government health insurance. “It is depressing to see them walk away,” she said. Those who stay get complex treatment, including psychological counseling. The hospital, whose staff have participated in the UNFPA training, connects them with NGOs that can offer legal support if the victim chooses to press charges. When the victim is a child, it is the prerogative of the head of the hospital to turn to the police. “We work on one case at a time, but at the same time hope to change mindsets in the society at large,” she said. Victim support Besides training medical staff, UNFPA also supports community organizations and NGOs. In Palu, women’s organization Libu Perempuan, for instance, has 30 volunteers to help victims. These include psychologists and lawyers. The association also runs a safe house, where currently two families live, and organizes training programmes, including trainings for men on the prevention of gender based and family violence. “It was an important mindset change in society that helping victims is as critical as bringing perpetrators to justice,” says Maya Safira, programme coordinator. All of her colleagues participated in UNFPA courses. In a country of 280 million people and over 7,500 districts, UNFPA’s training in 11 districts can only go so far. But Programme Officer Budi Waskito says the pilot project offers a model other donors or the government can replicate: “We provide a recipe but cannot cook every meal.” UNFPA works closely with the Ministry of Health, so that training it offers can be scaled up by the government. It has helped the ministry develop a training manual for medical staff, response guidelines for hospitals and guidelines for local advocacy programmes. The Ministry of Health is looking into replicating the success of this project, said Kartini Rustandi, Director of Reproductive Health Age and Elderly. “The Ministry of Health realizes that the role of health workers is very large, not only in medical management but also in carrying out early detection, providing information on allegations of violence against women and children,” she said. “The Ministry of Health continues to make efforts to accelerate equitable distribution of health facilities capable of managing violence against women and children and capacity building for health workers either through regular budget funds, specific budget allocation or in collaboration with donors.” For Dr Faiza, the goal is clear. “Until we have prevented every case of gender-based violence, we have more work to do. And we are doing it.” Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1140092

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Dr. Fai’zah A.Salim, a primary care physician in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, sees hundreds of patients a day. Thanks to a UNFPA training, she can more easily recognize signs of domestic violence and offer support to victims. (Photo: UNIC Jakarta)

Story

25 August 2023

United for Peace: Strengthening Peacekeeping Together

Confident. That’s the word that best describes Chief Private Ryan Herdhika, as he skilfully operates heavy equipment in Bangui, the Central African Republic, more than 10,000 kilometers away from his home near Jakarta, Indonesia. What fuels this self-assurance? It's the knowledge and expertise he gained through a training conducted by Japanese soldiers last year. Chief Private Herdhika is a member of the Indonesian battalion deployed to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Prior to that, Chief Private Herdhika and 19 others completed their training under the UN’s Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP) to help build and repair infrastructure, including supply routes and campgrounds, and support national recovery efforts following any natural disasters that may hit the mission area. The role of military engineers in MINUSCA is instrumental in achieving Mission’s mandates, particularly protection of civilians by rebuilding and maintaining roads to ensure mobility of troops. “Being able to operate heavy equipment well is only one part of this course. There is a lot of other knowledge that I gained, such as being more disciplined in maintaining heavy equipment, paying more attention to procedures in work and safety management,” he said. Building on the success of last year’s course, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) returned to the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center, Sentul, Indonesia last month, to teach future trainers and equipment instructors. In the spirit of international cooperation, soldiers from Cambodia and Mongolia also attended the training. The Heavy Engineering Equipment Operators’ Training of Trainers is designed to prepare and equip military personnel to become trainers in their home countries' armed forces. This three-month course is set to improve three types of skills: heavy equipment operation skills, teaching methodology and construction project management. “Peacekeeping missions operate in diverse and dynamic environments, each with its unique challenges,” said Lieutenant Colonel Takemoto Kensuke, who heads the training contingent from Japan. “By mastering these three skills, peacekeepers become more adaptable and versatile in handling a variety of tasks, from operating heavy equipment during patrols to teaching local communities critical skills and managing reconstruction efforts.” Captain Engga Permadi, a participant from East Java, Indonesia shared what he learned from the course: “Not only do we learn to operate mechanical and heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, graders, or bulldozers, but we also gain knowledge and experience in teaching methods. With this, we can pass on this knowledge to our units in many countries.” Lieutenant Colonel Vanna Neng from Cambodia expects to train around 300 future peacekeepers in his country’s armed forces. “But of course, the people who are benefitting most from this training are the people who live in the mission area,” he said. “This is especially so in the Central African Republic, since there is a lot of damage on the roads, making it hard to move.” Building Global Peace Needs Global Solutions Indonesia has a long history of participating in peacekeeping operations and has been actively involved in providing troops and personnel for various UN missions around the world. As the eighth largest contributor to global peacekeeping operations already, Indonesia is looking to get even more involved, which is why the army volunteered to host the training, said Rear Admiral Retiono, Commandant of the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center. “This training is benefitting our personnel, to learn from those who are experienced in operating heavy equipment and machinery,” he said. “I hope that the course in Indonesia will continue next year.” Currently, Indonesia has over 2,700 UN peacekeepers deployed to regions in need. Among these, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) are two that require heavy equipment operations. Since 2022, Indonesia has sent more than 350 peacekeepers to these missions, and there is a continued demand for additional peacekeepers with expertise in operating heavy equipment. The UN Triangular Partnership Programme was created to enhance peacekeepers' capabilities and provide comprehensive training and capacity-building. This programme brings together participants from multiple countries with a shared vision of achieving global peace through collaborative efforts. “In the face of global dynamics and growing instability that our peacekeepers are facing, there is a continuing strong need for well-trained troops from all over the world,” said Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare, Head of the UN Department of Operational Support. “The true success of this training lies not only in enhancing the performance of global peace operations but also in nurturing the strong bonds of international cooperation, which are instrumental in achieving global harmony and lasting peace.”

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Press Release

25 August 2023

UN Insights Shared on Infrastructure Financing in ASEAN

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 25 - Senior United Nations representative spoke at a high-level ASEAN dialogue to explore innovative financing solutions for infrastructure development. The event, titled “High-Level Dialogue on Promoting Sustainable Infrastructure Development by Enhancing Collaborative Effort Between Government and Private Sector”, was held on August 24 by the Ministry of Finance of Indonesia in alignment with its ASEAN Chairmanship agenda. Senior government officials across ASEAN countries joined representatives from the financial industry, multilateral development banks (MDB) and international organizations to identify points of collaboration to advance sustainable infrastructure. As a side event to the Second ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting 2023, the dialogue aimed to leverage diverse funding sources in sustainable infrastructure investment, and exchange learnings on innovative infrastructure financing tools from ASEAN countries. At the invitation of H.E. Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Akira Moretto, Indonesia Country Manager of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), spoke as part of a panel on innovative financing models. He highlighted how infrastructure development improves the delivery of public services, followed by concrete examples of sustainable infrastructure projects implemented by UNOPS through national pension funds. UNOPS believes that infrastructure forms the backbone of a functioning society and understands the value of smart infrastructure solutions in underpinning every Sustainable Development Goal. It is estimated that more than USD 90 trillion is required in global infrastructure investment by 2030 to support sustainable development. As the fifth largest UN agency by delivery, implementing over USD 2.5 billion in development assistance globally in 2022, UNOPS provides technical support and services in identifying Financing for Development solutions in the infrastructure sector since 2015. As an Implementation Agency, UNOPS has demonstrated expertise in delivering infrastructure results in evolving Public Private Partnership (PPP) and innovative financing markets, in close collaboration with both government and investor stakeholders. To conclude his presentation, Mr. Moretto highlighted that “The Global South, including ASEAN, can achieve way more in self reliance with proper support, transparency and new funding sources complementary to MDB loans. Building on its successful track record, UNOPS looks forward to working closely with countries across the ASEAN region in infrastructure and beyond.” The High-Level Dialogue also featured a ministerial panel on the key enablers and challenges in innovative infrastructure financing in ASEAN and an interactive session with the audience. Discussions painted a positive picture for the region’s future, through the strong public-private collaboration displayed towards people-centred resilient infrastructure.
About UNOPS UNOPS's mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more: www.unops.org

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Press Release

25 August 2023

GQSP Indonesia Phase 2 Launched: UNIDO Continues Supporting Aquaculture Value Chains in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia 15/8: The Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Indonesia Phase 2 has been officially launched on Tuesday 15/8, at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Jakarta. The launch, jointly organized by UNIDO and MMAF, attended by around 200 delegates (offline and online) from various representatives of national and regional government ministries/agencies, fisheries associations, the programme’s partners, NGOs and other stakeholders. The GQSP Indonesia Phase 2 is part of the global programme implemented by UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and funded by Government of Switzerland through its State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in the area of trade capacity development involving 7 countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Albania, Colombia, Peru, South Africa and Ukraine. GQSP Indonesia Phase 2 will cover three aquaculture value chains namely Shrimp, Milkfish and Seaweeds focusing on improving productivity and quality of shrimp and milkfish from traditional/extensive shrimp farming integrated with mangrove rehabilitation in selected locations. Special emphasize will also be given on the development of new species of seaweeds for improving livelihood of coastal communities and increase contribution of seaweeds to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The new programme runs from October 2023-Dec 2026 (39 months) and it has 3 Outcomes/Components namely Strengthening Quality Infrastructures, Increasing Compliance Capacity of SMEs of the Selected Value Chains; and Conducive Policy ad Culture of Quality. The MMAF and National Standardization Agency of Indonesia (BSN) are the main partners of the programme that will also involve private partners of selected value chain associations, farmer groups, cooperatives and companies. The previous programme, GQSP Indonesia Phase 1 (2019-2023) was successfully concluded on 30 June 2023 achieving average 84% of the targeted 91 Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) of outputs, outcomes and impacts.

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Press Release

18 August 2023

World Humanitarian Day 2023

(Jakarta, 17 August 2023): Ahead of World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, the United Nations today warned that 2023 is set to become another year of high numbers of aid worker casualties.
20 years after deadly attack on UN in Iraq, humanitarian workers remain
committed to help, #NoMatterWhat, despite growing risks. So far this year, 62 humanitarian workers have been killed in crises around the world, 84 have been wounded and 33 kidnapped, according to provisional data from the Aid Worker Security Database research team at Humanitarian Outcomes. Last year’s annual death toll reached 116.
South Sudan has ranked highest in insecurity for several consecutive years. Forty attacks on aid workers and 22 fatalities have been reported as of 10 August.
Sudan is a close second, with 17 attacks on humanitarians and 19 fatalities reported so far this year. This toll surpasses numbers not seen since the height of the Darfur conflict between 2006 and 2009.
Other aid worker casualties have been recorded in the Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia and Ukraine. Last year, 444 aid workers were attacked. The previous year, 460 humanitarians were attacked, resulting in 141 deaths.
This year’s World Humanitarian Day also marks 20 years since the 2003 suicide bomb attack on the UN headquarters in the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff. Some 150 more people – local and international aid workers helping to reconstruct Iraq – were also injured on that dark day.
The challenges faced by Indonesia as a hazard-prone country will remain. Our social capital to work together (gotong royong) is key to further improving the nation’s resilience to disasters of various scale and magnitude. Social conflict, extreme weather events and other related climate risks and the residual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to require a holistic and coordinated approach from the humanitarian community, government counterparts, civil society and vulnerable communities. Despite security and access challenges, humanitarians of all stripes are campaigning this year to highlight their continuing commitment to deliver for the communities they serve, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat. In the face of skyrocketing humanitarian needs, the UN and its partners aim to help almost 250 million people in crises around the world – 10 times more people than in 2003. The commemoration of World Humanitarian Day highlights the importance of multistakeholder cooperation in humanitarian efforts to continue adapting to present a better world. This year’s commemoration of World Humanitarian Day on 19 August 2023 is jointly organized by UN OCHA, in cooperation with UN in Indonesia, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, BNPB, and the Ministry of Social Affairs with the support of other government stakeholders , NGOs, interfaith organizations, and in collaboration with PT Integrasi Transit Jakarta.
Media contacts:
Ronaldo Reario, UNOCHA, 0852-1994-2819 Siska Widyawati, UNIC, 0878-8488-5489

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Press Release

23 June 2023

Pulse Lab Jakarta Transforms as United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific to Foster Innovation Across Region

Jakarta, 23 June 2023—Pulse Lab Jakarta has officially transformed into a regional innovation powerhouse with the launch of United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific. This expansion as a regional hub is a concrete follow-up to the G20 Bali Leaders’ declaration and marks a considerable milestone for driving innovation and sustainable development across the region. First initiated in 2012 as a joint innovation facility between the United Nations (via Global Pulse) and Indonesia (via the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas), Pulse Lab Jakarta has evolved over the years from being a big data innovation lab to an analytical partnership accelerator. “The Government of Indonesia is grateful to have worked in close collaboration with Pulse Lab Jakarta over the last ten years and we are excited to host the new Global Pulse Asia Pacific hub”, said Mr. Taufik Hanafi, Executive Secretary from the Ministry of Development Planning. “This transformation signifies great possibilities for the future of the region and Indonesia looks forward to being part of the journey.” An event was hosted from 22-23 June to celebrate Pulse Lab Jakarta’s achievements and to mark the official launch of the expanded Asia Pacific hub. The event showcased Pulse Lab Jakarta’s impact through an interactive exhibition and engaged in panel conversations with experts on inclusive data innovation, digital transformation, strategic foresight, and behavioral science, to stimulate knowledge sharing on key issues that the hub will potentially engage. Long-term collaborations with a multitude of stakeholders, including the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Australia, have enabled the Lab to strengthen the effectiveness of governments, as well as the public and private sectors. Australia’s Minister Counsellor for Governance and Human Development, Ms Madeleine Moss said, “As a long-term supporter of Pulse-Lab Jakarta, Australia is delighted to support Indonesia’s leadership in transitioning Pulse-Lab to a new regional hub. Based on its own digital transformation journey Indonesia has much it can usefully share with the region. This joint effort solidifies both countries’ dedication to driving innovation and sustainable development in the Asia Pacific.” As the spaces we operate in continue to rapidly evolve, there is a greater need to develop and apply innovative solutions that are better able to address the challenges of our modern world. The regional hub will build upon the track record of Pulse Lab Jakarta, which has over a decade of success in undertaking over 100 prototypes and establishing over 50 new partnerships and will position Indonesia and the United Nations at the forefront of regional innovation initiatives. “Over the years, the Lab has strengthened the capabilities and effectiveness of UN agencies and their stakeholders, and as the Asia Pacific hub, they will add even greater value to the region,” said Ms. Valerie Julliand, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. The regional hub will play the role of enabler for the UN system and its development partners by championing a UN 2.0 that is fit for the future. “The challenges of today are increasingly complex and require innovative and holistic solutions to address them,” said Ms Ayaka Suzuki, the Director of the Strategic Monitoring Unit in the Secretary-General’s Office. “The launch of Global Pulse Asia Pacific is a significant milestone. It will help advance the UN Secretary-General’s vision of a UN that can better support an inclusive and sustainable future.”
This new era of collaboration and innovation in the Asia Pacific region is an exciting opportunity for countries across the global south to collaborate, learn and grow together. In doing so, we can ensure that the impact of our work is not only timely and sustainable but we can also ensure that no one is left behind. --------------------------------------------------------- About The Launch of United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific The UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific hub launch comes to build on the successes of Pulse Lab Jakarta and will position the Jakarta based hub as an enabler for the UN system in the region. The regional hub will run portfolios of on-the-ground innovation projects that apply data, digital, foresight, and behavioral science methods to regional issues. The Asia Pacific regional hub will be deeply rooted in regional partnerships and will facilitate access to identify challenges, map solutions and test with end-users on the ground. It will work in support of Resident Coordinators and in partnership with the UN specialized agencies, funds, and programmes that lead country-level work. This year marks a decade of Pulse Lab Jakarta’s operations and its transition to United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific. To this end, Pulse Lab Jakarta intends to hold an event celebrating the 10 years of achievements and impacts and announcing the launch of United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific to create wider impacts across the region. A Decade of Pulse Lab Jakarta and Launch of UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific event will take place on 22-23 June 2023. This event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, Asia-Pacific country representatives, UN Agencies, donor organizations, civil society organizations, academics, development partners, PLJ staff and alumni, youth and the general public. Visit our event website for more information: https://pulselabjakarta.org/asiapacificlaunch. About Pulse Lab Jakarta Pulse Lab Jakarta is a joint data innovation facility of the United Nations (Global Pulse) and the Government of Indonesia (via the Ministry of National Development Planning). Functioning as an analytic partnerships accelerator, the Lab operates in the problem, solution and identity spaces. As part of its mandate, PLJ is focused on catalyzing connections across the United Nations, governments, the private and development sectors, as well as civil society to support policies and action for effective development and humanitarian practice. Contact: plj@un.or.id

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Press Release

21 June 2023

UN Expert Urges Coordinated Action by Indonesia and Other Nations to Address the Myanmar Crisis

JAKARTA (21 June 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews wrapped up a nine-day mission to Indonesia today by calling for coordinated action by Indonesia and others to address the deepening crisis in Myanmar. He expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for its support for the people of Myanmar and urged the country to play a bigger role in resolving the crisis both as current Chair of ASEAN and as a leader in Southeast Asia and on the world stage. “I came to Indonesia because the human rights situation in Myanmar is dire and getting worse, and because I believe that Indonesia is positioned to play a critical role in the resolution of this crisis,” Andrews said in a statement that was released today at a news conference in Jakarta. “I’m worried that the deepening crisis in Myanmar has become invisible to much of the world, and that some governments are beginning to think that the junta’s tyranny is inevitable. This narrative is exactly what the junta wants and needs to prevail,” he said. In meetings with Indonesian and ASEAN officials during his visit, Andrews noted that the world was looking to Indonesia and ASEAN for leadership in resolving the Myanmar crisis. “There are two different time zones when it comes to ASEAN and the crisis in Myanmar: one being the reality of the people of Myanmar who face daily attacks by junta forces and rapidly deteriorating conditions. The other is the world of ASEAN officials who caution that progress could take years, even decades,” the Special Rapporteur said. “The people of Myanmar do not have decades nor years – some do not even have days – for the junta to be held accountable,” he said. Andrews called on Indonesia to show continued leadership on Myanmar not only for the remainder of its ASEAN chairmanship, but beyond. “It is time to consider alternative options to break the deadly stalemate. I urge ASEAN to take measures to hold the junta accountable for its grave human rights violations and blatant disregard for implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. Even if ASEAN remains deadlocked, Indonesia should work with allies to isolate the junta and reduce its capacity to attack the people of Myanmar,” the expert said. During his mission, Andrews traveled to Aceh Province and visited a Rohingya refugee camp in Pidie District, where he heard directly from Rohingya who undertook dangerous boat journeys across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea and disembarked in Indonesia. “What was overwhelmingly apparent is the extreme vulnerability of refugees with whom I met. Fleeing atrocity crimes in Myanmar, and facing increasingly dire conditions in Bangladesh, they carry with them deep trauma. They want and deserve a safer, more peaceful life.” “The Rohingya refugees recounted their harrowing experiences at sea. A woman told me that over 20 persons died on her boat and that they had to throw the bodies overboard. Another woman cried as she recalled the lack of food and water, and how she had to give her child seawater to drink,” Andrews recalled. The expert said he was inspired by the widespread empathy for Rohingya among Acehnese fishermen, local civil society groups providing aid and services, and UN staff working with the refugees. Andrews cautioned, however, that there remain many challenges for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia and the region. “Responsibility for the rights of the Rohingya, including their right to redress as survivors of atrocity crimes, rests primarily with Myanmar. But it also extends to the countries where they seek refuge and to the broader international community,” said Andrews. He emphasized that Indonesia is well-positioned to play a global leadership role to defend and support the Rohingya. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Thomas Andrews (United States of America) is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. A former member of the US Congress from Maine, Andrews is a Robina Senior Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School and an Associate of Harvard University’s Asia Center. He has worked with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and parliamentarians, NGOs and political parties in Cambodia, Indonesia, Algeria, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine and Yemen. He has been a consultant for the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and the Euro-Burma Network and has run advocacy NGOs including Win Without War and United to End Genocide. The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Comprising the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, Special Procedures is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, country page – Myanmar For more information and media requests please contact: Jacqui Zalcberg jacqui.zalcberg@un.org For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts. Concerned about the world we live in?
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org

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