Indonesia Invites UN Member Countries to Foster Greater Cooperation on Digital Connectivity Transformation

NEW YORK – Representing Indonesia at the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council’s (UN ECOSOC) “Seizing Innovative Financing Opportunities for Digital Connectivity and Capacity Building” side event, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa invited participating states to foster greater global cooperation on funding and investment opportunities in digital transformation. 

Indonesia has positioned digital connectivity transformation as key to achieving sustainable development and is ready to share its experiences on a global level.

“Digital connectivity transformation has the potential to unlock and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various sectors, including finance, education, healthcare, and others," explained Minister Suharso at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. 

Indonesia has experienced a significant surge in the digital economy, with its digital economy growth reaching 414 percent from 2017 to 2021. This increase is also marked by several trends, including the growth of e-commerce, the widespread use of digital payments, and the development of technologies such as blockchain and crypto assets. Minister Suharso also highlighted Indonesia's efforts to continuously promote innovative financing implementations, such as public-private partnership schemes and blended finance, to address the digital divide, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovative financing for digital connectivity.

In front of special representatives from Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, Australia, and other United Nations member countries, international organizations, private sector representatives, philanthropists, and academics attending the forum, Minister Suharso called on all stakeholders to collaborate in leveraging innovative financing opportunities in Indonesia to drive transformation and achieve inclusive and sustainable digital connectivity. 

"We need to build new financing platforms, explore the potential of innovative funding sources, target available funding in the most effective and needed ways, and finally advocate for strengthening the role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to participate in the development of digital projects and financing structures,” concluded Minister Suharso.