WNAM REPORT: Indonesia needs to speed up the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU).
“For Indonesia, we hope the EU can assist us across all SDG sectors in accelerating progress, as the SDGs are set to reach their deadline in 2030,” international relations lecturer Teuku Rezasyah told ANTARA here on Tuesday.
He explained that each ASEAN member state has achieved varying levels of progress in meeting the SDGs, which should be collectively acknowledged so members can support one another.
Meanwhile, ASEAN should also be aware that the EU possesses extensive expertise and research outcomes related to development progress and SDG attainment.
Through the ASEAN-EU partnership discussed at the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Brunei Darussalam on April 27-28, Rezasyah expressed hope that Indonesia could encourage the EU to share its research findings to help accelerate SDG achievement in ASEAN.
“They are expected to share their research results with ASEAN. We must advance together. It is no longer possible for these two regions to be seen as competing. We must support each other,” he said.
At the same time, ASEAN countries, especially Indonesia, have been striving to boost development aligned with SDG targets.
Among others, Indonesia has the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which supports SDG Goal 2 on zero hunger.
Rezasyah noted that Indonesia could link such programs with similar practices previously implemented in Europe to adopt the best models, including in food management.
Furthermore, he also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation through sharing best practices in improving education quality, especially in STEM fields.
