Govt urges sustainable infrastructure for inclusive growth
According to AHY, sustainability should become the central paradigm of national development rather than merely a complementary consideration in policymaking.
“We must formulate policies and strategies that strengthen both our resilience as a nation and our competitiveness. These efforts must be built on three fundamental pillars,” AHY said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The first pillar, he said, is economic progress and growth, followed by public welfare. The third, which is equally important, is environmental sustainability.
AHY said growing geopolitical uncertainty, armed conflicts, climate change, and rapid technological advances require Indonesia to strengthen both its resilience and competitiveness through development policies that balance economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection.
In his capacity as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, AHY said the government’s infrastructure agenda is focused on strengthening food, energy, and water security.
The agenda also seeks to improve people’s quality of life, enhance national connectivity, strengthen environmental resilience, and promote more equitable development across Indonesia.
According to AHY, infrastructure development should no longer be measured solely by the number of projects completed, but by the benefits they deliver to communities and their ability to address the challenges posed by climate change.
“The environment is an issue of great importance—strategic and global in nature. But it also requires infrastructure support. Infrastructure should not be judged by how much we build, but by how beneficial it is, what impact it creates, and how resilient it is to various potential natural disasters,” he said.
AHY added that sustainable development can only be achieved through collaboration among all stakeholders under the pentahelix approach, involving the government, the private sector, academia, communities, and the media.
“We need strong pillars, not only a strong democracy, but also greater public education and awareness of sustainability and the future of our planet and environment,” he said.
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Translator: Aji, Azis Kurmala