In a landmark move on August 13, 2025, at the Bappenas–UN Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia and the United Nations officially signed the Indonesia–UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030), unlocking new opportunities to develop underserved corners of Indonesia—regions often skipped by mainstream development. This partnership lays the groundwork for inclusive progress, particularly in remote areas where tourism can blossom if infrastructure, services, and sustainability align.
Anchored in Indonesia’s medium- and long-term visions—RPJMN 2025–2029 and RPJPN 2045—the framework ensures that UN collaboration propels national goals toward high-income status, equitable access, and ecological resilience. Unlike traditional assistance models, this strategy introduces cutting-edge financing instruments: the Indonesia SDGs Accelerator Fund and provincial thematic bonds, enabling local governments to craft tailored development projects that include sustainable tourism, infrastructure upgrades, and community services in remote destinations.
Three Pillars of Transformation
The new cooperation framework revolves around three synergistic outcomes:
- Human Development
Enhancing equitable access to healthcare, education, social protection, and nutrition—especially in communities isolated by geography. Imagine tourism-linked community homestays in previously underserved areas gaining support through better education and health facilities, enhancing both visitor experience and social inclusion. - Nature, Decarbonization & Resilience
Preserving Indonesia’s biodiversity—coasts, forests, and coral reefs—while supporting climate-adapted eco-tourism ventures. Funding innovations hold promise for sustainable visitor infrastructure that doesn’t compromise delicate ecosystems. Think solar-powered lodge developments, reef-friendly dive centers, and woodland retreats anchored in conservation. - Economic & Digital Transformation
Fueling inclusive economic growth—including tourism—as well as digital infrastructure upgrades, green job creation, and modernized data systems to guide decision-making and measure outcomes. Remote tourism entrepreneurs can benefit from digital platforms, resilient data systems, and expanded connectivity.
Innovative Financing: Opening Doors Where It Matters Most
The SDGs Accelerator Fund and thematic bonds turn the financing model on its head. These tools help mobilize public and private capital at scale and shift resources to community projects that reflect local identities and tourism potential. The region-specific finance is key: remote islands, highland villages, or off-the-beaten-path nature preserves can now receive region-tailored funding.
This strategy builds upon Indonesia’s prior success in sustainable financing: through the UN-backed ASSIST Joint Programme, the country has facilitated over US$5.7 billion in thematic bonds and has piloted green and social sukuk (Sharia-compliant bonds), SDG-linked loans, and impact funds—some of which have supported vaccine distribution, education, coastal protection, and carbon reduction. This foundation primes new, locally focused development initiatives.
Locally Driven, Globally Informed
Development isn’t being dictated from a distance. The 2026–2030 framework emerged through extensive consultations—including government, civil society, youth, private sector, and UN agencies—ensuring that local voices, tourism needs, and community aspirations shape funding and implementation. With 22 UN agencies aligned under one framework, duplication is avoided and impact is amplified.
UN agencies will partner closely with local and national authorities, integrating robust monitoring, transparency, and response systems into every project. These safeguards ensure that tourism ventures remain community-centered and environmentally sound, with clear accounts of where funds go and how communities benefit.
Beyond Development: A Model for Sustainable Tourism and Local Empowerment
For regions long left behind in the rush of urban growth, this framework offers more than roads and clinics. It seeds community-based tourism projects, ecological stewardship programs, and digital platforms connecting artisans, guides, and hosts with visitors globally. Imagine local batik villages or coastal mangrove communities becoming self-reliant tourism hubs—built with green infrastructure, backed by modern financing, and powered by local initiative.
By bridging financial gaps, promoting inclusivity, and boosting resilience, Indonesia and the UN aren’t just promoting sustainable development—they’re laying a blueprint for tourism that sustains people, places, and planet.
In Summary
The newly launched Indonesia–UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 is a clear pivot toward innovation and inclusivity in national development. By combining visionary financing instruments—like the SDGs Accelerator Fund and thematic bonds—with collaborative governance and transformative goals, the framework offers a promising path for sustainable tourism development across Indonesia’s most underserved regions. From remote islands to highland trails, communities now have a better chance to share their stories, preserve their environments, and benefit from equitable growth—emerging as destinations, not forgotten corners.
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