Jakarta, 23 June 2026 – United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja, has concluded her week-long official visit to Indonesia, reaffirming UNDP’s commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to advance sustainable development, strengthen climate resilience, and create opportunities for people and communities across the archipelago.

Ms. Wignaraja met with senior government officials, ASEAN leaders, youth representatives, private sector partners, conservation practitioners, and development partners to discuss Indonesia’s development priorities and its growing role in shaping sustainable development across the region.

The mission began in Jakarta with a series of high-level engagements with government counterparts, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and the National Economic Council. Discussions focused on climate action, biodiversity conservation, blue economy, innovative and blended finance, food systems, sustainable waste management and circular economy, and digital transformation. 

“Indonesia is demonstrating how economic progress, environmental stewardship and social inclusion can advance together,” said Ms. Wignaraja. “As countries across the region seek pathways to sustainable growth, Indonesia’s experience offers important lessons on the value of partnership, innovation and long-term investment.”

A key highlight of the visit was a youth roundtable on employability and digital transformation, where young entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders shared their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing Indonesia’s current and future generations. The discussion underscored the importance of investing in digital skills, decent work and youth leadership to help shape a more inclusive future.

Ms. Wignaraja also met with representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat and the United Nations Country Team, reaffirming the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

In North Sumatra, Ms. Wignaraja met with the Mayor of Medan City and local leaders before visiting community-based initiatives that demonstrate how local action can contribute to national development priorities. The field visit was also joined by representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, and the national park authority.

In Medan, she visited the Terjun landfill site and met with waste workers and community representatives working to improve waste management and livelihoods by reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The visit highlighted the role of local innovation and community participation in building more sustainable and resilient cities.

The mission continued to the Gunung Leuser landscape, one of Southeast Asia’s most important ecosystems. In Tangkahan and Bukit Lawang, Ms. Wignaraja met with conservation authorities, forest rangers and community representatives working to protect biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods. She learned how community stewardship has helped transform former areas affected by illegal logging into a recognized model for conservation and ecotourism.

“From urban communities managing waste to local groups protecting forests and wildlife, the examples we saw in North Sumatra show that lasting progress begins at the local level,” said Ms. Wignaraja. “When communities are empowered and supported, their ideas, solutions can create impacts far beyond their immediate surroundings.”