Closing of the 19th PUIC in Jakarta, OIC Parliament Agrees on Strengthening Economic and Cultural Cooperation
By: Cindy Ramadhani
The 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), held in Jakarta from May 12 to 15, 2025, marked one of Indonesia’s most substantive diplomatic achievements in a multilateral Islamic world forum.
The conference not only demonstrated the maturity of Indonesia’s parliamentary diplomacy but also reinforced the country’s strategic position on the international stage—particularly in bridging cooperation among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia actively promoted key issues that are not only globally relevant but also require special attention within the Muslim world. Deputy Chair of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, emphasized the importance of economic policies that are responsive to global dynamics.
She firmly voiced concern over U.S. trade tariff policies that have impacted national industries. At the PUIC forum, Indonesia called for concrete measures to protect domestic industries from external pressures, including through strengthened cooperation among PUIC member states.
This effort is not only intended to maintain national economic competitiveness but also reaffirms Indonesia’s role as a leader in shaping solidarity among Islamic countries.
Rahayu also advocated for cultural exchange as a strategic instrument to reinforce this solidarity. According to her, deep intercultural understanding opens up space for equality and inclusiveness among Islamic nations—even though Indonesia is not constitutionally an Islamic state. Through this approach, Indonesia has successfully positioned itself as a central actor in shaping a new, more dynamic, just, and progressive alliance within PUIC.
In the economic realm, Deputy Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (BKSAP), Ravindra Airlangga, highlighted the stagnant trade volume among OIC countries, which has remained around 19% of total foreign trade between 2019 and 2023.
This figure is relatively low compared to the level of economic integration achieved by other regions such as the European Union or ASEAN. Ravindra pointed out that this condition is a strong signal that economic cooperation among Islamic countries is still far from optimal.
As a step forward, Indonesia initiated the importance of forming cross-country halal supply chains, enhancing logistics connectivity, and strengthening trade policies based on Islamic principles (sharia).
The potential of the global halal market, estimated to reach USD 2.4 trillion by 2026, is the main reason why OIC countries must act swiftly and strategically. With its improving infrastructure and large halal production base, Indonesia has the potential to become a key catalyst in driving a halal-based economy among PUIC member states.
Meanwhile, BKSAP member Mohamad Sohibul Iman raised an equally important issue: the protection of Muslim minority communities. Discrimination against these groups in various parts of the world can no longer be addressed sporadically.
Sohibul proposed the establishment of a PUIC special committee tasked with monitoring legal developments in countries where Muslims are a minority. According to him, structural discrimination resulting from state regulations is extremely difficult to reverse once institutionalized through law. Therefore, early monitoring is necessary to prevent the formation of discriminatory policies.
This proposal reflects Indonesia’s evolving diplomatic direction, which increasingly embraces transnational human rights issues, especially in the context of minority rights and global inclusiveness. Indonesia’s position in advocating for Muslim minority protections is strengthened by its reputation as the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy.
A concrete example of Indonesia’s diplomatic success at the 19th PUIC can be seen in its bilateral meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Qatar’s Parliament, Hamda Binti Hassan. Strategic discussions between the two delegations covered defense cooperation opportunities, including joint production of military equipment and training programs, directed under a Defense Cooperation Agreement. This collaboration is expected to deepen strategic partnerships and open space for capacity exchange in the military sector among Muslim nations.
In addition to defense, discussions also covered labor cooperation and cultural diplomacy. The contribution of over 24,000 Indonesian migrant workers in Qatar served as an entry point for strengthening more inclusive bilateral relations. The Qatari government also showed its commitment to protecting labor rights—an important step toward building more equitable relations.
Cultural diplomacy was another major highlight, especially following Indonesia’s designation as a partner country in the Year of Culture 2023 program. Follow-up initiatives involving youth, artists, and creative professionals from both nations are seen as a strong foundation for sustainable intercultural understanding.
Appreciation from various member states—including the Parliaments of Qatar and Gambia—toward the successful hosting of the 19th PUIC in Jakarta serves as clear validation of Indonesia’s effective diplomacy. The forum was not merely a space for discussion but became a powerful momentum for accelerating cross-sector and cross-country cooperation.
Through a multi-directional approach encompassing industry, halal economy, cultural diplomacy, and minority Muslim protection, Indonesia has demonstrated its capacity as a central actor—not just advocating values but delivering solutions. The 19th PUIC became a strategic platform that enhanced Indonesia’s reputation as a driving force of moderate, inclusive, and results-based Islamic diplomacy.
( The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute)*
