Jakarta, March 5, 2020 - Given the importance of respecting human rights in the achievement of SDGs as emphasized in the Agenda 2030 document, which states that the 17 SDGs and 169 SDGs targets "strive to realize human rights for all" and the 2030 Agenda "is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights treaties", the Special Committee for Integrity of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KUPAS-KADIN) and the Foundation for International Human Rights Reporting Standards (FIHRRST) held a breakfast meeting on March 5, 2020, to discuss the harmonization of the implementation of these two important "agendas" by companies. Respect for Human Rights as The Basis of Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals was the theme of the discussion.

This event was also the starting point for the collaboration between KUPAS-KADIN and FIHRRST in respecting business and human rights and encouraging the contribution of companies to fulfill SDGs.

"Considering the interrelation between human rights and SDGs, the collaboration of KUPAS-KADIN and FIHRRST is expected to advance respect for human rights by the business world and advance the contribution of achieving SDGs," said Adri Istambul LG Sinulingga, Chairperson of KUPAS-KADIN Indonesia. "That's why on this occasion, we have signed the MoU as the beginning of KUPAS-KADIN cooperation which will continue going forward,” he further said.

MoU Signing between KUPAS-KADIN and FIHRRST

Marzuki Darusman, Chair of FIHRRST stated, "In an effort to continue to encourage respect for human rights and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and to assess the readiness to fulfill the regulation of the Financial Service Authority No. POJK 51/ POJK.03/ 2017 regarding the preparation of Sustainability Reports, FIHRRST is currently conducting studies on the Sustainability Report of all Public Companies in Indonesia, which will be launched in July 2020."

The event was also attended by the founder of FIHRRST, Prof. Makarim Wibisono, UNDP Indonesia Director Christophe Bahuet, KUPAS-KADIN Deputy Chair and management Susi Rai Azizi and Suprayogi, government representatives, plus representatives of 20 national and global companies and civil society organizations.

Companies During the event, representatives of the companies were given the opportunity to express their views on their company's commitment to respecting human rights and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs, and the efforts that have been made. Company representatives of PT Bumi Resources Tbk, PT BASF Indonesia, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. PT Ruslam Cempakaputih Jaya and PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk. conveyed the experiences and challenges faced by their companies in respecting human rights and setting SDGs goals and targets to be achieved.

PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna) also explained the company's sustainability program in upholding human rights in harmony with the SDGs. Sampoerna Sustainability Program focuses on a number of SDGs indicators, one of which is SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth. This commitment to SDGs is carried out by efforts to ensure good working conditions for all employees and also encourages suppliers to apply the same to workers in the company's value chain. In addition, Sampoerna is continuously developing various empowerment programs for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and eliminating child labor in tobacco and clove fields. Sampoerna also strives to achieve SDG 5 on Gender Equality by practicing equal pay for equal work between women and men.

Sampoerna expressed its hope to continue to be involved in partnerships, cooperation, and discussion among stakeholders to achieve SDGs in Indonesia.

Participants of Breakfast Meeting “Respecting Human Rights to Achieve SDGs”

Furthermore, other participants, Mahmud Samuri, VP of Human Resources and General Affairs Division and Chair of the Human Rights Coordinating Team of PT Bumi Resources Tbk. said that, "Bumi Resources has always been concerned with human rights, which initially began with the existence of social and environmental due diligence. Now, we have socialized all of this, even to all the subsidiaries. In the end, we were awarded as a pioneer in respecting business and human rights in Indonesia.”

Government
The Government of Indonesia is strongly committed to implementing SDGs because the national development goals and global development goals are mutually reinforcing. The National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), for example, is already in line with SDGs and is an inseparable part of the national development agenda. The Ministry of National Development Planning/ BAPPENAS, as the SDGs implementing coordinator in Indonesia, works closely with the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and other UN agencies to carry out the government's commitment to fulfill SDGs.