Bappenas: Development Must Put People at the Centre
For Indonesia, the population is not merely a number. It is about people, their dignity, opportunities and quality of life.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister for National Development Planning and Deputy Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Febrian Alphariyanto Ruddyard said development must put people at the centre.
“ For Indonesia, the population is not merely a number. It is about people, their dignity, opportunities and quality of life,” Deputy Minister Febrian said at a courtesy meeting with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), according to an official statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In keeping with that principle, Febrian said Indonesia now had the capacity to share resources, knowledge, expertise and practical solutions through South-South Cooperation.
Indonesia’s experience in family planning, maternal health, population management and community-based development could provide lessons for other countries in the Global South, he said.
To advance this agenda, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and UNFPA are strengthening their partnership on human development and international development cooperation.
“This partnership, which dates back to 1972, is an opportunity to expand Indonesia’s contribution by sharing knowledge and experience with other developing countries,” he said.
Human development in Indonesia also faces the challenges of demographic transition. Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Deputy for Human Development and Culture at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, highlighted the narrowing window to benefit from the demographic dividend and the growing ageing population.
“For this reason, strengthening education, health and family quality is important to building human capital towards 2045,” Pungkas said.
In response, UNFPA said it was committed to supporting Indonesia through technical expertise and partnerships with various parties, including academics and the private sector.
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Andrew Saberton said the support was intended to help the government address development challenges while taking account of UNFPA’s mandate and the role of national institutions.
Febrian reiterated the importance of ensuring that demographic potential delivers tangible benefits for the public.
“We want to ensure the demographic dividend can improve the quality of education, encourage the creation of more productive jobs, and open up more opportunities for women and young people. I believe UNFPA can continue to play an important role in achieving this,” the Bappenas deputy head said.