VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has urged collective efforts for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically target number 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

During a discussion themed ‘Solidarity and Harmony between People as the Embodiment of SDG16 Indonesia to Rise from COVID-19’, held virtually on Thursday, head of Bappenas, Suharso Monoarfa, who is also Minister of National Development Planning, underlined the promotion of peace, justice, and inclusivity as the essence of SDG16.

"These are the main aims of SDG16," he stressed.

In order to meet the goal, he urged all components of the nation to take collective steps, one of which is establishing a peaceful community and preventing and ending violence among people.

He said promoting an inclusive society is one of the most important components in implementing the main principles of the agenda, besides creating a just society by solving the problems of justice that have been raised, especially during the pandemic.

“These [problems] include stigma and discrimination," he pointed out.

He further said that there needs to be collaboration between the government and non-governmental parties for conducting the efforts. Therefore, various joint steps can be taken to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic under the collective action agenda to support the achievement of the SDGs, he observed.

In the future, he continued, such cooperation needs to be more inclusive and expand beyond the focus on health aspects and post-pandemic economic recovery to various fields of sustainable development.

He then praised initiatives and innovations carried out in the spirit of solidarity between the people as part of efforts to tackle COVID-19.

Monoarfa cited as an example the efforts made by community organizations, including religious organizations, in providing assistance to the community in the form of free masks, basic necessities, and in educating the public about the importance of health protocols for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The spirit of philanthropy and mutual cooperation of the Indonesian population during the pandemic was evident in the donations collected via online fundraising campaigns that collected as much as Rp25 billion in April, 2020, which was then used to provide personal protective equipment to health workers as well as basic food assistance to people affected by COVID-19, he said. (Antaranews)