Various Efforts By The DPR 2019-2024 To Strengthen Foreign Politics Through Parliamentary Diplomacy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - In addition to having legislative, budgeting and supervision functions, the DPR RI has an additional function, namely Parliamentary Diplomacy. Various parliamentary diplomatic efforts were made by the DPR for the 2019-2024 period to strengthen Indonesia's political role abroad.

"The additional function of the DPR is parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen the role of the DPR RI in the international arena," said Chairman of the DPR RI for the 2019-2024 period, Puan Maharani, Tuesday, October 1.

Parliamentary diplomacy is carried out by the DPR through the presence and participation of members of the DPR RI in various international forums. Especially in forums between parliaments, both at the global, regional, and bilateral levels.

According to Puan, this aims to voice and fight for issues that are of national interest, as well as a form of contribution to find solutions to international issues that are of common concern.

Therefore, said Puan, the DPR for the 2019-2024 period was active in various international parliamentary forums and organizations, including by hosting.

"Indonesia's position as the host further emphasizes the important meaning of parliamentary diplomacy run by the DPR RI," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

By hosting an international forum, the DPR has the opportunity to play a bigger role in leading the trial at each event so that it opens up great opportunities for Indonesia in voicing global issues.

"In addition, it is also a form of contribution in finding joint solutions to international issues that are the agenda for the discussion and attention of the international community," added Puan.

During the 2019-2024 period, the Indonesian House of Representatives has hosted a number of international parliamentary forum activities. Starting during the Covid-19 pandemic, the DPR together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) or the world parliamentary forum hosted the agenda of The First Global Parliamentary Meeting on Achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals or Sustainable Development Goals.

The First Global Parliamentary Meeting on Achieving the SDGs was held online on September 28, 2021. This meeting discussed the role of parliament in realizing SDGs, social and economic inequality, the impact of Covid-19 on the achievement of SDGs, climate change, global economic recovery during the pandemic, SDGs funding, and strengthening collaboration between parliaments to accelerate the achievement of SDGs.

At the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DPR also hosted The 144th IPU Assembly or the 144th IPU General Session held in Bali on March 20, 2022. The prestigious parliamentary forum trial resulted in the Declaration of Nusa Dua, entitled Getting to zero: Mobilizing parties to act on climate change.

"Through the Declaration of Nusa Dua, Indonesia and IPU together invite parliament and countries around the world to take more concrete action in overcoming climate change," said Puan.

The IPU General Assembly in Bali also produced a number of important resolutions, including resolutions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an emergency item. The resolution contains a statement of IPU's stance on the importance of prioritizing diplomacy and respect for the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The DPR then hosted The 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit (P20) or the parliamentary forum of G20 countries. P20 was held in Jakarta, on October 5, 2022 and produced important messages that became the basis for overcoming various global problems.

The P20 emphasizes the importance of multilateralism as an effective way to tackle global challenges, encourage G20 countries to step up efforts to strengthen peace, overcome differences, and restore the economy.

Not only that, P20 also highlighted the urgency of gender equality in achieving sustainable prosperity and development for all, and emphasized that a strong parliament is the key to a strong democracy and the importance of improving the welfare of citizens through policies and legislation.

In line with the chairmanship of ASEAN held by Indonesia in 2023, the DPR also holds the chairmanship of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) which is the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Council as the regional parliamentary body which acts as the main point of communication and information exchange between member countries. The DPR also hosts the 44th AIPA General Assembly and a number of other supporting activities.

As a series of Indonesian chairmen in AIPA, at the ASEAN-AIPA Leaders Interface Meeting in East Nusa Tenggara on May 9-11, 2023, the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and parliament to strengthen stability and democracy in the region to achieve the welfare of the ASEAN people.

Still in the AIPA chairmanship series, through the holding of The 6th Meeting of ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) in Bogor on May 30, 2023, the Indonesian House of Representatives invited all MPs of ASEAN countries to contribute to fighting drugs through inclusive economic development.

The DPR also hosts the AIPA side event in 2023, namely the ASEAN Women's Parliament Coordination Session (Women Parliamentarians of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly / WAIPA). Through activities carried out virtually from Padang City, the DPR RI highlighted the importance of women's representation in public institutions and the policy formulation process.