Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono is scheduled to attend the High Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang. (Rafly/Infomed/Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono is scheduled to attend the High Level Segment (HLS) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, this month.

This was conveyed by the Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, when asked about Indonesia's participation in the UN Human Rights Council's annual agenda.

"The plan is for the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in mid-February," Yvonne explained to the media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/3).

Yvone emphasized the importance of the agenda, with the President of the UN Human Rights Council for 2026 held by an Indonesian diplomat, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.

Quoted from the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the 61st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) is scheduled to be held from February 23 to April 2, 2026.

HLS itself is part of HRC61 as well as the opening session by presenting high-level officials, annual reports, to discussions on global human rights issues.

Last year, when speaking at the High-Level Segment of the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized Indonesia's commitment under President Prabowo Subianto to play an active role in efforts to promote and protect global human rights.

It is known that 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.

"This designation certainly reflects the support and confidence of the Asia Pacific region in Indonesia's role and leadership in advancing the human rights agenda at the global level, including Indonesia's track record as a bridge builder in human rights issues, Indonesia's position as an independent developing country and not affiliated with certain interests. block, as well as Indonesia's consistent commitment to fighting for humanitarian issues in various parts of the world," explained Yvonne in a statement at the end of December.

This is the first time Indonesia has served as president of the council which was formed in 2006. Ambassador Sidharto was appointed president 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.

Indonesia was re-elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the sixth time in October 2023. Interestingly, Indonesia was elected by winning the highest votes in the election and the highest votes Indonesia has ever obtained throughout the nomination, where Indonesia earned 186 out of a total of 192 votes.

If detailed, Indonesia became a member of the UN Human Rights Council in 2006-2007, 2007-2010, 2011-2014, 2015-2017, 2020-2022 and 2024-2026.

In addition to the President of the Council this year, Indonesia was entrusted twice as Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council, 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.