VOINews, Jakarta: East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Gita Sabharwal, held a significant meeting in Surabaya to discuss the progress and challenges of sustainable development in the region. During the official statement received in Surabaya on Saturday, Governor Khofifah expressed her deep appreciation for the UN’s attention to East Java’s development efforts.
"We are grateful to Ms. Gita Sabharwal and her team for their visit to East Java. It is an honor to have her acknowledge the work we have been doing, particularly in the area of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Khofifah stated.
The discussion delved into the specific initiatives undertaken by the East Java Provincial Government over the past five years, which the UN has recognized as aligning with the SDGs. These initiatives reflect the province's commitment to global goals and sustainable development.
"According to Ms. Sabharwal, several development programs in East Java are already on track to meet SDG targets. These include Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," Khofifah elaborated.
Gita Sabharwal, who is relatively new to her position in Indonesia, having assumed the role in April 2024, expressed keen interest in learning from Governor Khofifah’s work, especially in empowering women and promoting gender equality. In her capacity as the Chairwoman of the PP Muslimat NU, Khofifah has made significant contributions in these areas, which caught Sabharwal’s attention.
"I am still quite new in Indonesia, and we only started our tenure here in April 2024. Therefore, we are eager to learn and engage with prominent leaders who have made a significant impact on society, particularly in areas that align with the Sustainable Development Goals," Sabharwal remarked.
Khofifah’s leadership in public service, alongside her initiatives in education and social welfare, has drawn considerable interest from the UN delegation. Sabharwal noted that Khofifah’s efforts in empowering women are especially inspiring, not just as a leader but also as a strong female role model.
"Moreover, as a woman and a strong role model, Ms. Khofifah's efforts in women’s empowerment are highly inspirational," she added.
The meeting was also attended by several prominent UN figures, including Hosianna Anggreni, UNWOMEN Program Analyst; Regina Noya, IOM Head of Office in Surabaya; Muhammad Afrianto Kurniawan, UNICEF representative in Surabaya; Wahyu Kurniawan, UNDP Provincial Assistant for the SMILE Project in East Java Province; and Martina, Vaccination Technical Officer in Surabaya.
This discussion underscores the importance of local leadership in achieving global development goals and highlights East Java's growing role as a model for sustainable development in Indonesia. The exchange of ideas and experiences between Governor Khofifah and the UN team is expected to strengthen collaboration and further advance sustainable initiatives in the region.ANTARA/VOI
