Indonesia - UN Human Rights Council Presidential Envoy, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Trust with Great Responsibility

Dir HAM and Migration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Indah Nuria Savitri. (Rafly/Infomed/Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - The election of Indonesia as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2026 is a trust with great responsibility, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If there are no obstacles, the Indonesian Republic's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, will be appointed as President of the UN Human Rights Council today.

Director of Human Rights and Migration at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indah Nuria Savitri, explained that this was the first time Indonesia had become president, after previously occupying the vice president's seat in 2009 and 2024.

"The Indonesian presidency will last for one year," Indah said in a press statement in Jakarta, Thursday (8/1).

Indah said the appointment of Pak Arto, the nickname of Ambassador Sidharto, will be carried out at 10 am Geneva time or around 16.00 WIB. The location is at the Assembly Hall, Palace of Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

"This is a great trust, a mandate of great prestige comes with great responsibility, given our current situation and geopolitics and the council is experiencing a lot of dynamics," he explained.

"Carrying the theme 'A Presidency for All', Indonesia is trying to carry out its mandate as president with an inclusive approach, ensuring that we will always be impartial, objective, transparent, and communicate and discuss with all stakeholders," said Indah.

"We hope that this trust will be proof of the track record of bringing improvements not only in Indonesia, but also regionally and internationally," explained Indah.

Previously, when the body was still called the Human Rights Commission, the last president was held by Indonesian Ambassador Makarim Wibisiono, Indah added.

Quoted from the UN website, the UN Human Rights Commission on January 17, 2005, elected Ambassador Makarim Wibisono as the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission by acclamation.

It is known that Indonesia was officially chosen as the sole candidate for President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026 by the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) last month.

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 said that the broad support of the Asia Pacific countries for Indonesia was driven by Indonesia's track record as a bridge builder in human rights issues, its position as an independent developing country that is not affiliated with the interests of certain blocs, and Indonesia's consistent commitment to fighting for humanitarian issues in various parts of the world.

"The election of Indonesia as President of the UN Human Rights Council strengthens Indonesia's human rights diplomacy profile and confirms Indonesia's leadership at the international level," said I Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, some time ago.