Ambassador Sidharto Emphasizes Indonesia's Commitment to the Principles of the Human Rights Council

President of the UN Human Rights Council Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro. (Screenshot from UN Web TV)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is committed to the principles of the UN Human Rights Council such as universality, objectivity and non-selectivity in dealing with human rights issues, said Indonesian Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Thursday.

He conveyed this after being appointed as the 20th president of the UN Human Rights Council in an organizational meeting at the Assembly Hall, Palace of Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

Grateful for the trust given to Indonesia as president of the council, the Indonesian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva confirmed Indonesia's commitment to multilateralism and the protection of human rights.

In line with Indonesia's chosen "Presidency for All" leadership theme, Pak Arto, as he is affectionately known, emphasized that he would involve all parties in his leadership, from member countries and non-member countries to civil society organizations.

Ambassador Arto is determined to make the Human Rights Council more effective, inclusive and accessible to all parties.

"I am committed to carrying out this responsibility with full respect for the principles and integrity of the board," he said, as seen on UN Web TV, Thursday (8/1).

"We are committed, like other members of the Human Rights Council, to the core principles of the Human Rights Council, universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity in addressing human rights issues," he said.

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, last month.

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.

"Because there is no objection, I respectfully declare His Excellency Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro as the President of the Human Rights Council for 2026 by acclamation," said the Deputy President of the UN Human Rights Council, also the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, at the opening of the Organizational Meeting of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 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.