Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, delivers his opening remarks at the High-Level Plenary Session of the 2024 High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF MSP), titled “Building Bridges: Unlocking the Full Potential of the Global South through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships,” on Monday, 2 September 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali. (Photo: Bappenas)

Badung, 2 September 2024 — Indonesia’s Minister of National Development Planning and Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa emphasized that transformative steps and stronger international cooperation among Global South countries are needed to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

He mentioned this during his opening remarks at the High-Level Plenary Session of the 2024 High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF MSP), titled “Building Bridges: Unlocking the Full Potential of the Global South through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships,” on Monday, 2 September 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

He stated that these steps are necessary because Global South countries face significant challenges, such as unstable economic growth, infrastructure deficits, disruptions in global supply chains, and the resurgence of protectionist policies that hinder and erode global trust in international institutions.

He cited research from the World Trade Organization, which suggests a scenario in which the world is divided into two distinct trade blocs. This division could potentially lead to a 5 percent decline in global gross domestic product (GDP) and fragmentation of international trade.

“The world cannot afford fragmentation. Navigating through the current turbulent period is challenging. Therefore, transformative measures and stronger international cooperation have become more critical than ever in advancing the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals agenda,” said Minister Suharso.

The 2024 HLF MSP also discussed multi-stakeholder partnership solutions as bridges between the North-South and South-South, aimed at unlocking the full potential of Global South countries.