VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Chairman Agung Firman Sampurna hinted at the possibility of five targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program not being achieved owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Given the current global pressure, some SDGs are in danger of not being reached," he stated during the International Webinar on Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Covid-19 Pandemic: a Multi-Stakeholder Approach / Perspective in Jakarta, Monday.

Sampurna noted that the third target in the SDGs program of ensuring a healthy life and promoting welfare for all ages could potentially not be achieved.

The first goal of the SDGs is ending extreme poverty in all forms; goal 2 in the SDGs is ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition; while goal 10 in SDGs is reducing inequality.

The goal 4 of SDGs is ensuring quality education that is inclusive and equitable and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Sampurna stated that the five goals of the SDGs program were at risk of not being achieved since the COVID-19 pandemic had yet to subside, and instead, a second wave of the disease had hit several countries.

This is apparent from the victim count, which continues to rise globally, reaching over 90.2 million people, with 1.93 million deaths.

In Indonesia alone, until January 10, 2020, some 818 thousand cases were reported, with deaths totaling 23,947 and over 10 thousand people per day in the last week.

“The COVID-19 pandemic throws a huge challenge. No single country is ready to face it and is still struggling to overcome it," he pointed out.

Moreover, the health crisis has battered the global economy, pushing millions back into poverty, exacerbating inequality, and compelling scores to either remain or return to life in extreme poverty.

"This can be measured by the capacity of families being affected to provide necessities, such as food and education, for their members," he explained.

Sampurna noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened conditions that earlier experienced four other global disruptions, such as the financial crisis in 2008, the technology crisis or Industry 4.0 in 2009, and the political crisis in 2016.

"We have no other choice left but to embrace the situation and get accustomed to it by adapting to the new normal," he emphasized. (antaranews)