Elected as President of the UN Human Rights Council, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs: Indonesia will Encourage Dialogue and Cooperation

JAKARTA - Indonesia will encourage dialogue and cooperation to advance the protection of Human Rights (HAM), said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono after Indonesia was officially chosen as the sole candidate for the President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026 which will be determined in the council meeting next month.

Today, Indonesia was officially chosen by the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) to be nominated as the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2026, wrote Foreign Minister Sugiono on the Menluri Instagram account, as quoted (24/12).

"Indonesia expresses its appreciation for the trust of the Asia-Pacific group that has nominated Indonesia as the sole candidate for President of the UN Human Rights Council 2026," continued Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement to the media said that the nomination for the President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026 will be determined at the Human Rights Council Meeting on January 8, 2026.

Later, the post will be held by the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.

In that capacity, continued the ministry, Indonesia will lead the way for the UN Human Rights Council's sessions and processes throughout 2026 in an objective, inclusive and balanced manner.

"Indonesia will strive to carry out this trust as best as possible, continue to encourage dialogue and cooperation, and work together with all members of the UN Human Rights Council for the promotion and protection of human rights for all," said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"In this presidential nomination, Indonesia carries the priority of impartial, objective and transparent leadership," said the Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang.

"Indonesia carries the theme 'A Presidency for All', with priorities: impartial, objective, transparent leadership, strengthening dialogue and consensus, efficiency and rationalization of the Human Rights Council's work, strengthening technical cooperation, and bringing the perspective of developing countries and Asia Pacific," explained Yvonne to VOI.id some time ago.

Yvonne explained, "The President of the Human Rights Council in 2026 will come from the Asia Pacific region. Thus, the election will be held within the Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the results will be submitted at the Human Rights Council Organizational Session."

Indonesia itself is currently a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026. Based on the regional rotation mechanism, the Asia-Pacific Group will take the turn to hold the Presidency of the Human Rights Council in the 20th cycle in 2026, so that the appointment of Indonesia is in line with the regional arrangements that have been agreed upon.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Indonesia's election as President of the UN Human Rights Council strengthened Indonesia's human rights diplomacy profile and at the same time confirmed Indonesia's leadership at the international level.

Indonesian leadership in 2026 also coincides with the momentum of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council. This momentum can be used to encourage the strengthening of international human rights governance that is more inclusive, constructive, and oriented towards dialogue and cooperation.

"Indonesia is committed to carrying out this mandate in a professional, transparent, and based on the spirit of multilateral cooperation for the advancement and protection of human rights for all," the ministry said.