UNDP and Tanoto Foundation to support SDGs in Indonesia’s Riau province

Jakarta, 26 Februari 2016 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Friday signed an agreement with the Tanoto Foundation to support the implementation of the anti-poverty Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda in Indonesia.

UNDP Indonesia Country Director Christophe Bahuet and Tanoto Foundation Head of Executive Board Sihol Aritonang signed the agreement with the Foundation providing a grant of approximately USD 220,000 over two years. The funds will support a collaborative work with Riau province governments in piloting policies and guidelines on SDGs implementation at provincial and district levels.

Mr. Bahuet expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the financial contribution, which will facilitate the early success of SDGs implementation at the local level.

“One of the keys for Indonesia to achieve the SDGs is to have strong awareness and political will of local Governments. We hope this support will demonstrate the impact that such an engagement by policymakers at the local level can make for the Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr. Bahuet said.

Mr. Aritonang said the agreement reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing human development and ending poverty in Indonesia.

“Tanoto Foundation was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto to support poverty alleviation in Indonesia. Poverty is an inter-generational issue. So our programs are holistically designed to handle different dimensions of poverty. Supporting the Education of children, in terms of quality and access, is our first program pillar. The second is Empowering communities. We target our activities to help parents of the children improve their income. The third element is Enhancement of Quality of Lives such as provision of clean water or health services for general community members. These efforts are closely interlinked with many Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mr. Aritonang.

Last year at a United Nations summit, world leaders adopted the ambitious SDGs that set the course of the global development agenda until 2030. It includes a commitment to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, protect the environment and spread peace and justice and UNDP is at the forefront of the implementation.

The signing of the agreement with Tanoto Foundation comes as UNDP celebrates its 50th anniversary. For the past five decades UNDP has supported countries around the world to eradicate poverty and to help people build a better life. In Indonesia and in support of the SDGs agenda, UNDP works with Government at the central and local levels, as well as with many partners in support of national development. The focus of UNDP’s work is on reducing poverty and inequality, mitigating and adapting to climate change, consolidating democracy and access to justice and supporting Indonesia’s engagement in global issues and South-South Cooperation.

Contact Information:

Tomi Soetjipto

UNDP Communication Specialist

suryo.tomi@undp.org; +62811888814

Lestari Boediono

Tanoto Foundation Head of Corporate Communications

Lestari_Boediono@www.tanotofoundation.org

About UNDP

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

About Tanoto Foundation

Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto started Tanoto Foundation to become a center of excellence in Poverty Eradication through Education, Empowerment and Enhancement of Quality of Lives Program. Tanoto Foundation provides scholarships for students in Indonesia and implements the Education Quality Improvement Program (PELITA Pendidikan) in collaboration with its corporate partners, APRIL and Asian Agri. in North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. Another Tanoto Foundation’s program is Advanced Education Support which supports the development of applied research in higher education. Through Partnership in Education Program, Tanoto Foundation supports provision of higher education facilities such as library and student halls. Tanoto Foundation collaborates with international universities such as Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to improve quality of higher education. For empowerment, Tanoto Foundation rolls out small business and income development programs, both independently and with our corporate partners. For Enhancement Program, Tanoto Foundation together with its corporate partners actively supports disaster victims in various areas and improves access to clean water and health programs.

For more information, visit tanotofoundation.org