Foreign Minister Retno at the 2023 SDG Summit: The World Must Encourage the Creation of a Conducive Environment for Developing Countries

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets, reaffirming the importance of space for developing countries, while attending the SDG Summit at the UN Headquarters, New York, United States.

In a joint statement on behalf of ASEAN, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized her commitment to achieving the SDG targets.

"ASEAN's commitment and efforts to achieve the SDGs are aligned with ASEAN Vision 2025 and ASEAN Vision 2045," said Foreign Minister Retno in a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, September 19.

She further said that in the midst of an uncertain global situation, ASEAN will continue to strive to strengthen its capacity so that it remains resilient in facing various challenges and shocks in the future.

She explained that there were three efforts made by ASEAN to achieve the SDG goals. First, ASEAN's commitment to narrowing development gaps and strengthening local implementation of SDGs, including through empowering youth, women, the elderly, MSMEs and migrant workers.

Second, continued Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno, ASEAN is committed to becoming a resilient community, by increasing investment in the fields of human resource development, health infrastructure, digital transformation, strong supply chains and sustainable energy security.

Third, ASEAN continues to strive to strengthen multilateralism and respect for the UN charter.

"In this way, the direction of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can return to the right track," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile, when delivering Indonesia's national statement, Foreign Minister Retno said that the current global order does not provide equal opportunities for developing countries. As a result, it is difficult to achieve the SDGs implementation target in 2030.

"There is no other choice, the world must encourage the creation of a conducive environment for developing countries to grow and make leaps in development," she stressed.

"Trade discrimination must be stopped. Developing countries must be given the opportunity to downstream industry," stressed Foreign Minister Retno.

She added that, in this regard, as Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia encourages ASEAN to become a regional hub for Electric Vehicles, play a major role in the global supply chain, encourage green development and make the region a center of growth (Epicentrum of Growth).