LOCALISE SDGs: Contribution to Indonesia Local Governments
Speakers of APEKSI Section VI Members within the SDGs Framework
IN New York, 2015, approximately three years ago, Indonesia signed a global commitment to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030. Mid-2017, around two years later, the country’s commitment was materialised through the official launching of Presidential Regulation No.59/2017, outlining roles of ministries and institutions in making preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the efforts undertaken. Entering 2018, questions about progress in the implementation of SDGs localisation start coming up. How far has the country achieved? UCLG ASPAC, throughout its activities, has continuously raised the awareness of local governments, key development actor in achieving the global goals. Early 2018, the organization, in partnership with Association of Indonesian Cities (APEKSI), has established LOCALISE SDGs, a team dedicated to assist local governments in Indonesia to further build their capacity in the implementation process. Embracing the inclusion spirit, the LOCALISE SDGs team partnered with like-minded institutions in conducting focus group discussion, facilitating the Consolidation on Local Midterm Development Planning, and socialisation of Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No.7 Year 2018. Outreaching to the local level, LOCALISE SDGs team also partnered with APEKSI to be able to contribute in APEKSI Section VI Regional Work Meeting, held in Ambon, 5-6 June 2018, taking theme “Establishing International and
National City-Cooperation between APEKSI Section VI Members within the SDGs Framework.� LOCALISE SDGs Team discussed the importance of Presidential regulation No.59/2017. Undertaking role as the basis of Indonesia SDGs implementation, the decree stipulates that Indonesia should have National and Local Action Plan for SDGs. Having the country’s guideline, however, participants of the discussion acknowledged that there were challenges faced by local governments. Among many challenges faced, capacity building for local governments was mentioned as one of solutions. The session continued with sharing session of SDGs implementation in cities located in East Indonesia with enlightening results below: 1. City of Bitung The municipal is aware of SDGs and its framework but there is currently no specific regulation concerning SDGs. There is a need towards improving local government capacity. On the other hand, previously, the city of Bitung has also won several awards in the field of health and governance. 2. City of Ternate It had some of the best practices during the time of MDGs and currently the city wants to focus on supporting green tourism. There are already several priority levels for SDGs, for example the development of clean water. Other priorities include building sustainable cities and communities. 3. City of Gorontalo The city already has the intention to establish a Regional Mid-term Development Plan (RPJMD) for SDGs as well as commitment and vision of regional mission. It also serves as one of the town in Gorontalo Province that is ready to implement SDGs. 4. City of Tomohon The municipal is trying to implement SDGs in the area. It is currently revising the RPJMD and needs to socialise it. Local Action Plan (RAD) has been prepared and they require assistance from the regional end and improvement of the capacity among local government staffs. 5. City of Makassar The city administration has already received training on SDGs in 2016 and they still need to focus on the issues of increasing human resource for the city government staffs. 6. City of Sorong Local Government of Sorong wants to develop Sorong City as a trading center and gateway to the Papua region, as well as to improve governance for infrastructure.
7. City of Manado It already has several program activities for SDGs including its indicators. Some SDGs indicators have been attached in RPJMD and will attempt to include other SDGs indicators in future RPJMD revisions. 8. City of Tual The city has many programs for SDGs especially for community business groups. 9. City of Bau Bau The city administation focuses to build Waterfront City, but still has its difficulties concerning the capacity of local governments to disburse permits as well as capacity for city planning. The event was also enriched by the Indonesian Technical Cooperation of Ministry of Home Affairs representative, Mr. Nelson Simanjutak. He also stated that the challenges acting as hindrance for cooperation stemmed from administrational roadblocks, lack of knowledge among local government staffs and insufficient reporting. There should be a feasibility study on the rights and obligations of the parties, terms of cooperation, dispute settlements and sanctions to have a successful cooperation between local governments (nationally or internationally). Therefore he reminded that local governments should also refer to Law Number 23 of 2014 to initiate cooperation. During this session, three cities also expressed their interests to join UCLG ASPAC (City of Bau Bau, City of Sorong and City of Ambon). LOCALISE SDGs funded by EU is now entering its second semester of Year 1. The team has developed a Year One plan involving various activities. Among many are the Project Kick Off Meeting, Baseline Survey, National and Local Training and Networking Session at UCLG ASPAC Congress. Other activities as project outputs are Web-Based Knowledge Shared Platform and Project Introduction Video to support the project activities. With Project Kick-Off Meeting coming soon at the end of July 2018, the team is planning to also organise a Media Gathering and Panel Session to enrich the event. Media Gathering will serve as a discussion forum to promote SGDs with its indicators and goals as well as to introduce the LOCALISE SDGs project, while Panel Session will provide various resource persons to share and discuss issues related to SDGs such as city diplomacy, SDGs budget tagging and related regulations. In addition to implement the set plan, UCLG ASPAC, through the Indonesia LOCALISE SDGs, is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate and deliver better contribution to the achievement of SDGs in the country.