Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa invited member countries of the United Nations (UN) for global cooperation regarding funding and investment opportunities in digital transformation.

According to Monoarfa, digital connectivity transformation has the potential to unlock and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various sectors, starting from finance, education, and health services.

"Indonesia has placed digital connectivity transformation as the key to achieving sustainable development and is ready to share experiences at the global event," Monoarfa stated in New York, the United States.

The minister made the statement at the Side Event of the Economic and Social Council Financing for Development Forum 2024 at the UN Office.

In a statement from Bappenas in Jakarta, Thursday, he said that during the 2017-2021 period, Indonesia is said to have experienced a significant surge in the digital economy, with its digital economy having showed a remarkable growth of 414 percent.

The increase is marked by several trends, including the growth of e-commerce, widespread use of digital payments, and technological developments, such as blockchain and crypto assets.

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The Bappenas head underlined Indonesia's efforts to persistently encourage the implementation of innovative financing, such as public-private partnership schemes and blended finance, to overcome the digital divide by accentuating the importance of collaboration and financing innovation for digital connectivity.

On the occasion, Monoarfa invited all stakeholders to collaborate in making the most of innovative financing opportunities in Indonesia to encourage transformation and realize inclusive and sustainable digital connectivity.

The statement was delivered in front of special representatives of Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, Australia, and UN member states, international organizations, private sectors, philanthropic entities, and academics.

"We must build new financing platforms, explore potential innovative financing sources, and target available funding in the most effective and most needed way," Monoarfa affirmed.

"And finally advocate for strengthening the role of MDBs (Multilateral Development Banks) to participate in the development of digital projects and financing structures," he stressed.

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Translator: M Baqir Idrus Alatas, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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