Jakarta (ANTARA) - International relations expert from Binus\nUniversity, Dinna Prapto Raharja, stressed the importance of protecting\nsovereignty to resolve a country\u2019s socio-economic problems.<\/p>\n
The statement was made to ANTARA on Monday, in response to the agenda\nof the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission\nfor Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), taking place in Bangkok amid rising\nglobal tensions due to the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia must be present as a cooler voice, reminding that it is\nimpossible to discuss a country\u2019s progress without respecting other\ncountries\u2019 sovereignty,\u201d Dinna said via telephone connection.<\/p>\n
She highlighted the practices of imperialism by major powers to seize\nand violate other countries\u2019 sovereignty, which runs counter to the\nsustainable development agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a beneficial situation for developing countries in\ngeneral, because we are facing major powers whose main agenda is not to\naddress inequalities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Even before the outbreak of the United States (US) and Israel war\nagainst Iran in February, Dinna noted that the ESCAP agenda on\nsocio-economic issues was already hampered by trade wars and tariff\ndisputes between countries, which then impacted employment problems.<\/p>\n
Amid economic uncertainty and rising social inequalities\npost-COVID-19, she underscored the impact on the most vulnerable groups,\nparticularly women and ageing populations.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 2025 study shows that women are most affected by job\ninformalisation. In addition, discussions I attended with Bappenas and\nKemensos addressed how the state struggles to distribute aid to ageing\ngroups because they have no jobs while being ill.\u00a0This is a cost that\nthe state must consider,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dinna hopes that the complexity of these issues can be voiced by\nIndonesia through the UN ESCAP forum, which is a UN body mandated to\nensure that economic and social activities of Asia-Pacific countries run\ninclusively.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the ESCAP forum, besides state representatives, there are usually\nnon-governmental actors who can share experiences on challenges and\nsolutions in their respective countries to address economic and social\ninequalities,\u201d said the policy advisor at Synergy Policies.<\/p>\n
The 82nd UN ESCAP meeting takes place from 20-24 April 2026 in\nBangkok, Thailand, with the main agenda calling for stronger cooperation\nto ensure \u201cno one is left behind\u201d in a highly dynamic world.<\/p>\n
The meeting is occurring amid increasing pressures on the region,\nincluding economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate risks,\nand rapid technological changes, alongside major demographic shifts such\nas ageing populations, youth employment challenges, and widening\ninter-generational gaps.<\/p>\n
As home to more than 60 per cent of the world\u2019s population, the\nregion is also transitioning from households with high fertility rates\nto longer lifespans and smaller families, according to the ESCAP press\nrelease issued on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn every crisis, there is opportunity; the opportunity to reflect\nand prepare better for the future. This crisis underscores something\nfundamental about our region. Asia and the Pacific are highly\ninterdependent,\u201d said UN Deputy Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive\nSecretary Armida Alisjahbana.<\/p>\n
Amid shocks caused by rising tensions and economic fragmentation,\nArmida said the Asia-Pacific region has repeatedly shown cooperation\nthat yields positive results.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we can overcome uncertainties and build resilience,\u201d she\nwrote on X.<\/p>\n
More than 477 participants from 58 member states are attending the\nmeeting organised jointly by ESCAP, Azerbaijan, and Thailand.<\/p>\n
The meeting is expected to result in the adoption of resolutions\ncovering, among others, advancing societies for all ages, building\ninclusive civil registration and vital statistics systems, strengthening\nconnectivity in transport and logistics, and establishing a regional\ndigital solutions centre.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-absolute-sovereignty-must-be-upheld-to-address-socio-economic-issues-1776700244", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }