VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian is again trusted to lead the discussion on issues of economic recovery and public health at the multilateral forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific -UNESCAP. Information from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, that was received in Jakarta, Friday (10/22) stated that this role was carried out by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCAP Ambassador, Rachmat Budiman who was the chairman of the third session committee of the Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development (MPFD). The 3rd session of MPFD Committees took place on 20-22 October 2021 and it was opened by Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed along with the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (ESCA), Armida S. Alisjahbana.

Armida emphasized the importance of economic development amid the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Armida, The Covid-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to reconsider policies and strategies and to align fiscal and financial resources with development efforts that will deliver significant results in the future. The discussion at UNESCAP was also attended virtually by Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati who disclosed Indonesia's efforts in post-pandemic recovery that is inclusive/resilient and sustainable.

Minister Sri Mulyani emphasized that inclusive recovery will depend on how the government designs policies so that no one is left behind. According to Minister Sri Mulyani, the priority of inclusive recovery must also focus on efforts to save the community from the trap of health problems amid the pandemic through strategies for administering vaccines, testing, tracing and Covid-19 treatment and development of a reliable and effective health system. In addition, it is also necessary to provide support to poor communities and families by creating social safety nets and providing government subsidies, such as for the use of electricity and the internet. Support for the small and medium enterprises -SMEs is also considered important to provide access to capital that requires close collaboration with financial institutions and is supported by access to digital technology.