Indonesia Leads in Sustainable Development Goals Progress: VP Ma’ruf Amin

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin emphasized Indonesia’s significant progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting that the nation has reached 62.5 percent of its targets. This achievement positions Indonesia as the most progressive country in the region, far surpassing the global average of 17 percent.

Speaking at the opening of the 7th Annual Conference on Sustainable Development Goals in Jakarta on Monday, Vice President Amin lauded the country’s commitment to the SDGs. “This progress demonstrates our unwavering dedication to implementing sustainable development, even amid global challenges,” he said.

Amin underscored that Indonesia’s strong performance in realizing the SDGs carries significant responsibility, serving as a model for other countries and fostering collaboration and innovation across Asia. He noted that despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia has made strides in reducing extreme poverty and stunting among toddlers, reflecting its dedication to social welfare and public health.

The vice president also highlighted the importance of education and skill development in sustaining this progress. He called for inclusive, high-quality education to prepare Indonesia’s workforce for the future, particularly in navigating the challenges of Industry 4.0 and ensuring global competitiveness.

Amin further outlined Indonesia’s shift toward a green economy, emphasizing the country’s efforts to build green industries and create environmentally sustainable jobs as part of its contribution to reducing global carbon emissions—a key SDGs objective.

To support inclusive economic growth, the vice president noted that the government is actively encouraging investment in sustainable sectors, fostering job creation, and strengthening the nation’s digital and sharia economies. He praised the head of Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency) for championing sharia economic development, particularly through the transformation of the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS) into the Sharia Economic Development Agency.

Vice President Amin’s remarks reaffirm Indonesia’s leadership in sustainable development and its ongoing efforts to align economic growth with environmental responsibility and social inclusiveness.