Jakarta, IO – The Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN) held the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals (SDGI) 2026: Closing Ceremony & Solutions Showcase, at Amanah Kirana Function Hall, Samudera Kirana, North Jakarta. The event marked the culmination of the SDGI 2026 program and served as a platform to recognize young professionals who have developed innovative solutions to sustainability challenges within their respective companies.

As the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) draws closer, innovation has become a critical factor in accelerating the transformation of the business sector toward more sustainable practices. Through the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals, the UN Global Compact encourages young professionals in the private sector to develop solutions that not only support corporate objectives but also make tangible contributions to achieving the SDGs.

As the official UN Global Compact network in Indonesia, IGCN is strengthening its role in building corporate capacity, through programs that promote innovation, collaboration and sustainability implementation. SDGI is one of its flagship initiatives, equipping young talent with innovative approaches to creation of impactful and implementable solutions in the workplace.

The SDGI 2026 program involved 72 innovators, grouped into 18 teams from 18 companies. Participants were challenged by a series of processes, from identifying issues to developing early-stage solutions. During the closing event, they showcased their projects, through Innovation Booth Showcase exhibitions, giving business leaders, government representatives, international organizations, academics and other stakeholders an opportunity to see the solutions firsthand.

Not only presenting innovations: the event also became a moment to recognize the mentors, judges, advisers and facilitators who guided participants throughout the program. The Best Innovator Teams, meaning those bringing the strongest innovation, leadership and potential impact, were awarded. The winning team will represent Indonesia at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York on September 22-23, 2026.

Y.W. Junardy, president of IGCN, said the event was not an ending but a celebration of the journey undertaken by young professionals, in developing practical and impactful innovations aligned with the SDGs.

“Although Indonesia has achieved some 62 percent of its SDG targets, many challenges remain, among them climate change, food security, access to education and decent work opportunities. Amid geopolitical dynamics, technological developments and advances in artificial intelligence (AI), businesses play an important role in continuing to innovate, conduct research and integrate sustainability into their core business,” he said.

Now in its third year, SDGI involved 18 companies and 72 innovators who participated in a six-month training program, supported by company champions and mentors and evaluated by an independent panel of judges. Of the 18 proposals developed, one team was selected to present at the Leaders Summit in New York.

“For the selected team, we want to ensure the company is committed to supporting the participants’ trip because their presence is not only to represent the company or IGCN, but also Indonesia. We will continue coordinating with all participating companies, including the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, to ensure optimal collaboration and participation,” he explained.

Junardy said the event was more than an innovation exhibition; it was also a space for dialogue, exchanging ideas, finding partners and building collaboration.

“Let us start to think about the steps we will take after today, because change requires collaboration between experienced generations and younger generations. We hope the innovations born from this program will grow into tangible actions and create a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future,” he said.

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia Gita Sabharwal said sustainability is about creating stronger communities and extending opportunities to underserved groups, so that no one is left behind. The solutions created must deliver meaningful impact across three dimensions: environmental sustainability, social inclusion and economic prosperity. Hopes only exist when these ideas move from a stage of concept into meaningful action, through young professionals who encounter these challenges firsthand, take the time to understand them and develop innovative solutions to address them.

“I believe that this combination of young talent, fresh perspectives, and a deep understanding of real-world challenges has the potential to transform the way we respond to some of the most pressing issues facing our world today,” she said.

She added that no company, institution or sector can achieve the SDGs alone.

“We need partnerships, collaboration and collective action to turn promising ideas into solutions that create greater and lasting impact. This is where IGCN plays such an important role, bringing people, ideas and businesses together, to create a platform where innovation can thrive and partnerships can turn solutions into meaningful action,” she said.

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Sabharwal also emphasized how business leaders have a critical role to play not only as leaders of organizations but also as agents of change. By empowering young professionals, investing in innovation and building meaningful partnerships, the private sector can help accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for Indonesia and the world.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Nunung Nuryartono, M.Si., Deputy for Development Policy at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said the program demonstrates that achieving the SDGs requires the courage to innovate. BRIN, as an institution nurtured by the state, will continue working together and strengthening synergy in developing innovations to address the nation’s challenges.

He noted that the world is facing increasingly complex challenges. Climate change is intensifying hydrometeorological disasters, sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

“At the same time, we are  striving to bolster food security, public health, water availability, productivity and community welfare. Therefore, we need to build systems that are more resilient, low-carbon and sustainable. Research and innovation are the main foundations for strengthening national resilience, improving human resources, promoting sustainable economic growth, and achieving food and water security as Indonesia moves toward Golden Indonesia 2045,” he said.

BRIN is also advancing technologies such as AI and space technology, which play important roles in disaster mitigation and strengthening food security, amid climate change. The Agency is also promoting the development of nuclear technology to support safe and sustainable future energy sources. Ultimately, technology and innovation must become collaborative, competitive, inclusive and responsible forces for Indonesia and the world.

Leonardo A.A. Teguh Sambodo, Deputy for Food Affairs, Natural Resources and Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, said current global changes present major challenges, including food security, environmental degradation and digital transformation. These challenges are real and require accelerated, inclusive transformation.

Achieving the SDGs, he added, cannot be pursued through a sectoral approach alone but must be carried out faster, smarter and more collaboratively. This alignment between national and international agendas positions the SDGs as a key foundation for development, moving to Golden Indonesia 2045. Through the SDG Innovation Accelerator, global aspirations are translated into concrete action, by empowering young talent within companies and encouraging businesses to become incubators of solutions and agents of change.

According to Leonardo, the greatest value of the program lies not only in the ideas generated but also in the process that shapes participants into problem-solvers and connects innovation with sustainable business opportunities. These ideas must  be persistently tested, refined and validated so they can evolve into real solutions with measurable impact.

“Businesses play a crucial role as drivers of the economy, centers of innovation and long-term investors. Therefore, we need to provide space for younger generations to bring fresh perspectives and respond to future issues such as emissions reduction, the circular economy and food security. Collaboration among governments, businesses, communities and educational institutions is key, because major solutions emerge not from working alone but from the convergence of many stakeholders. Through SDGI and IGCN, we are bridging innovation and collaboration, to drive practical solutions for achieving the SDGs at both national and global levels,” he said.

Through dialogue, recognition and innovation exhibitions, the event reinforced a shared commitment to empowering young people as agents of change, creating a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.

Through SDGI 2026: Closing Ceremony & Solutions Showcase, IGCN hopes more companies will foster a culture of innovation within their organizations, empower young talent and expand cross-sector collaboration to deliver solutions that create positive impacts for businesses, communities and the environment. (des)