JAKARTA, October 24, 2024 – UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN), in collaboration with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Indonesia (CCEP Indonesia), hosted the SDG Pioneer 2024 event with the theme “The Role of Business in Advancing the SDGs through Mindset Transformation.” The event aimed to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and invited the business sector to strengthen their commitment to implementing concrete sustainability practices.
The event took place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Square One Function Hall, Jakarta, and was opened by Josephine Satyono, Executive Director of IGCN. In her remarks, Josephine said, “This moment is expected to raise awareness in Indonesia’s business sector that global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and resource depletion demand serious attention and immediate action. Therefore, significant initiatives and acceleration of sustainable development are crucial to achieving the SDGs by 2030. Sustainability has now become a culture, and the number of professionals in this field is growing. We need to support even more professional leaders committed to implementing the SDGs and sustainability principles.”
In line with Josephine, Neha Das, Head of Asia & Oceania, UN Global Compact, emphasized, “Sustainability is no longer an option; it is a necessity. Business leaders must think ahead and make decisions that deliver long-term value, not only for their businesses but also for society.”
Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, Indonesia has achieved significant milestones. This was conveyed by Pungkas Bahjuri, Expert Staff for Social Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, representing Vivi Yulaswati, Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources.
“Indonesia has achieved 62.5% of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. This is an outstanding achievement compared to the global average of 17% and represents the best performance among upper-middle-income countries. This is not just a statistic but reflects a collective commitment to sustainable transformation,” Pungkas explained.
Indonesia’s current achievements cannot be separated from the roles of committed business leaders. One such leader is Lucia Karina, Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability Director at CCEP Indonesia, who was named the SDG Pioneer 2024. The SDG Pioneer award is given by the UN Global Compact to recognize Karina’s commitment to promoting responsible business practices, particularly in water management, environmental responsibility, and community development. Karina is one of 12 representatives from various countries and six continents, and one of only two from Asia and Oceania.
In her statement, Karina emphasized that companies need strong commitments from shareholders and business leaders who have empathy and a spirit of service. “As leaders, we must prioritize integrity and social responsibility for future generations. In doing so, we can ensure that the earth we leave behind is as good as the one we were born into. Essentially, the SDGs are based on five principles: profit, people, planet, peace, and partnership. These principles are already reflected in Pancasila. I am proud to be part of Indonesia and hope the current government values these noble principles. By reviving these values, we can foster leaders with integrity who can serve as role models for society,” Karina said.
Karina also emphasized that sustainability values are ingrained in Pancasila, which existed long before the SDGs concept. She believes that by returning to these core values, Indonesia can become a global model for sustainable development.
The event also featured notable figures in sustainable business, including Martha Tilaar, Founder & Chairwoman of Martha Tilaar Group, represented by her son, Bryan Tilaar; Noke Kiroyan, Chairman of Kiroyan Partners; Imam Prasodjo, Chairman of Nurani Dunia Foundation; and Bruna Elias, Senior Manager, SDG Innovation Accelerator, UN Global Compact.
In a panel discussion, Noke Kiroyan, Chairman of Kiroyan Partners, shared his views on the importance of the role of an SDG Pioneer. “A pioneer is someone who leads the way. Bu Karina being selected as an SDG Pioneer means she must step up and share the concepts and practices she has implemented. This aims to create a mindset transformation, changing perspectives and behaviors, so other professionals understand that ethical business practices go hand in hand with increased public trust.”
Noke’s statement was echoed by Imam Prasodjo, who said, “To achieve sustainable development, all elements must be interconnected. When we strive for human welfare, we must also ensure the welfare of nature. This is sustainability. Businesses indeed have a responsibility to generate profit for people, but we must not neglect the well-being of our home, which is nature. Therefore, pioneers like Bu Karina are needed, not only to offer concepts but also to act as role models.”
The exemplary contributions of business leaders were also highlighted by Bruna Elias, who said, “We are very proud to have identified 12 SDG Pioneers among business leaders who prove that sustainability can drive business success. These leaders not only demonstrate their commitment to the SDGs but also show that good sustainability practices can add significant value to their companies.”
SDG Pioneers are also expected to inspire Indonesia’s business sector to actively engage in achieving the SDGs. Through panel discussions and sharing sessions, participants were encouraged to share best practices and discuss concrete steps companies can take to support the SDG agenda, including innovative and inclusive sustainability strategies.
