RRI.CO.ID, Padang – Indonesia’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is considered to be outperforming both the Asia‑Pacific regional average and the global average.

Nevertheless, the government still faces challenges, particularly in poverty alleviation and improving the quality of human development.

Deputy for Human Development and Culture, who also serves as Head of the National SDG Secretariat at the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, said Indonesia’s SDG achievement rate has reached 62 percent.

This figure far exceeds both the global and Asia‑Pacific averages, which stand at 18 percent each.

“Actually, our SDG targets are quite good when compared to global figures. The global achievement is 18 percent, and the Asia‑Pacific region is also at 18 percent,” Pungkas said in his statement in Padang, West Sumatra, on Monday, June 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that 13 SDG indicators have shown progress, while around 24 percent remain in the “red” category. Thanks to this progress, Indonesia now ranks 77th out of 167 countries, up 25 positions compared to 2019.

According to Pungkas, several successes are evident in improved access to reliable electricity and energy services, the protection of marine ecosystems, and strengthened partnerships supporting sustainable development in Indonesia.

However, he emphasized that the first SDG target -- poverty eradication -- remains a major challenge for the government. Issues such as food security, stunting, and human trafficking also require more serious attention.

At the regional level, Pungkas highlighted challenges still faced by West Sumatra Province and the island of Sumatra. These include poverty, stunting, maternal and infant mortality rates, access to secondary and higher education, and the protection of women.

“In the economic pillar, the informal workforce, unemployment, regional disparities, and financing are also areas of concern,” he said.

In addition, the environmental sector continues to face issues related to access to safe drinking water, housing quality, waste management, hazardous and toxic waste (B3), greenhouse gas emissions, and disaster risks -- all requiring attention from stakeholders. ***