A recent high-level event co-hosted by the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) brought together key stakeholders at Oakwood Suites Kuningan in Jakarta on December 10, 2024. This strategic discussion, which fostered collaboration among government, academia, and industry experts, aimed to contribute to addressing Indonesia's pressing food security and nutrition challenges.
Opening Remarks by Key Government Figures
The session was honored with opening remarks from the Coordinating Ministry for Food, a body newly established in November 5, 2024 tasked with orchestrating all food-related programs across Indonesia. This ministry emphasized its commitment to integrating and enhancing the nation’s food policies. Additionally, the Director of Food and Agriculture from Indonesia’s ministry of National Development Planning, Bappenas, serving as the United Nations Food Systems Summit Convenor, highlighted the critical role of strategic partnerships in advancing food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
A Dual Focus: Policy Enhancement and Ministry Engagement
The discussion centered on the three pivotal topics listed below. Each topic has been summarised with a policy brief now available on CIPS's website.
1. Data-Driven Policy Enhancements:
• Discussions focused on using the Food Systems Dashboard to target policy enhancements effectively, drawing significant contributions from GAIN and government health officials. These talks centered on strategies to increase local fish consumption for better nutrition.
2. Reducing Food Loss and Waste:
• Highlights included Indonesia's significant issues with food wastage. The dialogue involved environmental agencies and culminated in a policy brief that advocates for robust regulations and incentives to reduce food waste, aligning local actions with national strategies.
3. Nutritional Labeling for Healthier Choices:
• The progress towards and challenges of implementing Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling (FoPNL) in Indonesia were discussed. Insights from GAIN and the Ministry of Health spurred a policy brief advocating stringent labeling regulations to help combat diet-related non-communicable diseases.
A secondary objective of the event was to engage the newly established Coordinating Ministry for Food in the complexities of Indonesia’s food system. This involvement ensures that the ministry’s strategic directives are informed by ground-level insights and integrated within broader national and international policy frameworks.
Participation from Diverse Stakeholders
The event saw active participation from various government sectors, including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the National Food Agency, the Indonesia Food and Drug Authority, as well as from prominent figures in the food industry. This approach ensured a broad dialogue on refining policy interventions to enhance the efficiency of Indonesia’s food system and to drive improvements in nutritional outcomes for its people.
Looking Ahead
This discussion marked a significant step towards catalyzing further essential dialogues and forming strategic alliances to strengthen Indonesia’s food security and nutrition frameworks. The resulting policy briefs advocate for informed and targeted reforms, and are available for public access on the CIPS website.
We invite all stakeholders to continue this crucial dialogue as we strive towards a nourished and sustainable future for Indonesia.
Widiastuti, S.E., M.Si., Deputy for Food and Agriculture Business Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, opens the discussion on Indonesia’s food system strategies. Seated beside her, Djarot Indarto, Director of Food and Agriculture at Bappenas, listens intently. Their collaborative insights set the stage for advancing sustainable nutrition and security across Indonesia.