Yes! Indonesia Officially Appointed as President of the UN Human Rights Council

JAKARTA - Indonesia has regained the trust of the international community by being appointed as President of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026 period.

The establishment of the Indonesian presidency was officially carried out at the UN Human Rights Council Meeting on January 8, 2026, coinciding with the implementation of the first UN Human Rights Council organizational meeting in 2026 at the Assembly Hall, Palace of Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

The establishment of this mandate also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement, Thursday (8/1).

Previously, Indonesia was officially chosen by the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) through the election mechanism at the regional level to be nominated as President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026.

The establishment process is the result of coordinated and sustainable diplomacy from various parties under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, said the ministry.

Based on the direction of the highest leadership, in addition to coordinating all Indonesian Representatives abroad, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also actively carrying out diplomatic approaches with various representatives of friendly countries in Jakarta.

Within the framework of the intended coordination, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia in Geneva plays the main role as Indonesia's front guard in the UN Human Rights Council, with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia in New York and the contributions of other Indonesian representatives.

All these efforts are carried out in a coordinated manner through structured, consistent, and coordinated diplomatic communication and approaches in line with Indonesia's diplomatic practices in multilateral forums.

The post of President of the UN Human Rights Council will be held by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.

Previously, the senior diplomat had held various strategic positions, including as Director General of ASEAN Cooperation and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to India and Bhutan.

In its capacity as President of the UN Human Rights Council, Indonesia will lead all sessions and processes of the UN Human Rights Council throughout 2026 in an objective, inclusive, and balanced manner, in accordance with the annual programme of work of the UN Human Rights Council as well as human rights issues of common concern.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Sugiono, specifically conveyed that Indonesia is committed to carrying out the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council in an impartial, objective, and transparent manner.

The Indonesian presidency will prioritize confidence-building, strengthening cross-regional dialogue, and constructive involvement of all stakeholders.

Indonesia's leadership as President of the UN Human Rights Council is summarized in the theme "A Presidency for All", which emphasizes Indonesia's commitment to strengthening consensus, increasing the effectiveness of the Council's work, and maintaining the credibility of the UN Human Rights Council in the multilateral system.

This is Indonesia's first presidency in the UN Human Rights Council, which was formed in 2006, with a presidential mechanism following the rotation cycle between regional groups.

This trust is based on the track record and consistency of Indonesia's role in the promotion and protection of human rights at the international level.

Until now, Indonesia has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council six times and has been trusted as Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council twice, namely in 2009, which was carried out by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani and in 2024 by Ambassador Febrian A. Ruddyard.

Previously, Indonesia had also served as the Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the UN Human Rights Council, in 2005, represented by Ambassador Makarim Wibisono.