By: Marlinda Yanuar
Indonesia once again plays a strategic role on the international diplomatic stage by hosting the 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC). On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, President Prabowo and the House of Representatives (DPR) officially opened the conference during a ceremony at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta. This moment marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s commitment to promoting cooperation and peace within the Islamic world.
The PUIC Conference is a vital forum that brings together parliaments from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This year, the conference carries the theme “Good Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillars of Resilience”, reflecting the Islamic world’s focus on strengthening governance and institutional development in response to global challenges.
The presence of around 450 delegates from 38 member countries and 10 observer states underscores the Islamic world’s enthusiasm for addressing strategic issues. From Palestine to Islamic economics, from climate change to digital transformation, this forum provides a platform for Muslim-majority countries to align their visions and enhance their collective position on the global stage.
While it serves as a platform for executive diplomacy, the conference also strengthens the legislative role in international diplomacy. The Indonesian House of Representatives, as the host, plays a central role in organizing this high-level and strategic meeting. Under the leadership of House Speaker Puan Maharani, Indonesia’s parliament has demonstrated its capacity to facilitate large-scale, impactful international forums.
In his opening speech, President Prabowo conveyed a powerful message about solidarity and transformation in the Islamic world. Early in his presidency, he emphasized that Indonesia aims not only to be a gracious host but also a proactive driver of collaborative initiatives among Muslim nations. He stressed the importance of building resilient institutions and accountable governance as the foundation for sustainable development and global peace.
With a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, Indonesia presents itself as a bridge between the Islamic world and the broader international community. President Prabowo also underscored that inter-parliamentary cooperation can serve as both a moral and political force in creating a more just and civilized global order.
Meanwhile, Speaker Puan positioned the conference not as a symbolic gathering, but as a venue for generating real commitments from Islamic countries to address global challenges. She urged that the outcomes of the forum not remain at the negotiating table but be translated into concrete policies with direct impacts on people’s lives. According to her, parliaments possess a unique power to drive systemic change, particularly on issues such as Palestinian independence, development inequality, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.
The DPR RI also leveraged this conference to strengthen parliamentary cooperation networks, foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and promote Indonesia’s values of Islamic moderation to the world. Embracing the spirit of “Indonesia as the inclusive and democratic home of the Islamic world,” the Indonesian parliament advocated for collaboration centered on social justice and the welfare of the ummah.
The 19th PUIC Conference holds particular significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of PUIC’s founding in 1999. This moment offers a reflection on the long journey of Muslim parliamentary cooperation, as well as an evaluation of the ongoing challenges. The forum will discuss key priorities, ranging from the Palestinian conflict, strengthening Islamic economic frameworks, addressing humanitarian crises in Muslim regions, to integrating technology in public governance.
The main outcome of the conference is expected to be encapsulated in the Jakarta Declaration—a strategic document articulating a collective commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and building governance systems resilient to crisis. This declaration is hoped to serve as a moral and political guide for Islamic countries as they fulfill their roles on the global stage.
The Jakarta Declaration also reaffirms full support for the struggle of the Palestinian people and condemns all forms of violence. Delegates called for concrete actions from the international community to realize a just and lasting peace in Palestine. This resolution is expected to resonate in other global forums, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
By serving as the host, Indonesia not only reinforces its image as a moderate power within the Islamic world but also demonstrates its readiness to assume greater global responsibilities—as a pioneer in intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary cooperation among Muslim nations. The opening of the conference sends a strong signal that Indonesia is prepared to lead in building a modern, open, and inclusive model of Islamic governance.
Moreover, this conference affirms Indonesia’s position as a leader capable of harmonizing Islamic principles with sound democratic practices. In a world fragmented by polarization, intolerance, and conflict, Indonesia offers a new narrative: that Islam can be a force for peace, that parliaments can be engines of transformation, and that cross-border collaboration can be the key to a better future for the ummah.
With the commencement of the 19th PUIC Conference, the Islamic world now turns its eyes to Jakarta. From this city, the spirit of cooperation, good governance, and global solidarity finds its stage. And from this meaningful opening, a pathway is paved toward a more united, empowered, and dignified Islamic world.
International Relations Analyst